The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce


	A Confederation of Trade Associations, Regional and Sectoral Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Bilateral Business Councils and Employer Organisations in Sri Lanka

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CCC TRADE CELL

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Facilitator of Public - Private Sector Dialogue on Trade Agreements

The CCC Trade Cell was launched recently by the Ceylon Chamber Of Commerce to facilitate an effective dialogue between the Government and the Private Sector on various bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements signed by Sri Lanka.

RATONALE
Sri Lanka is a member of two bilateral free trade agreements with India and Pakistan, which are already in operation. Sri Lanka is also a member of to two regional agreements: South Asian Free Trade Agreement (which is finalized and would come into effect in Mid-2006) and BIMSTEC FTA (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation Free Trade Agreement), which is to be finalized by mid – 2006.

Sri Lanka being a founding member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is bound by a large number of multilateral agreements governing various aspects of trade.

Sri Lanka and India have recently embarked upon negotiating an ambitious economic integration plan called the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), covering four areas: expanding existing free trade agreement, signing a new services agreement, investment cooperation and economic cooperation.

At present the negotiations are lead by representatives of the Government with little or no input from the private sector. Since these agreements are intended to facilitate business activities, input from the private sector is essential to ensure that these bring benefit to the business community and thereby contribute to national development.

THE OBJECTIVE OF “The CCC TRADE CELL” IS TO ENSURE THAT
-	The interests and concerns of the business community is taken into consideration by the Government when negotiating any new trade agreements with other countries and when revising existing trade agreements

-	There is an effective dialogue on the issues related to operational aspects of the existing trade agreements

-	There is wider awareness of the market access and investment opportunities made available through these agreements to the private sector

-	There is wider awareness of the challenges and threats faced when opening up the Sri Lankan market for other countries

STRENGTHS OF CCC TRADE CELL
-	Support and commitment of identified industry experts representing different sectors

-	Trained and competent staff knowledgeable in bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements

-	Excellent rapport with relevant Government organizations and research institutes

-	Excellent rapport with donor agencies assisting similar private sector initiatives

-	Access to first hand information on developments taking place with respect to trade agreements

The trade cell comprise of two industry expert groups
1.	Industry Expert Group on Trade in Goods chaired by Mr. R L Juriansz
2.	Industry Expert Group on Trade in Services chaired by Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake

WE WELCOME NEW IDEAS / SUGGESTIONS The CCC Trade Cell is a facilitator and an advisor. We welcome new ideas and suggestions. We urge you to bring your issues, problems, and concerns relating to trade agreements to us. Please contact us on the details given below. Madusha Dassanayake - Research Assistant The Ceylon Chamber Of Commerce Tel: 2380152 Fax: 2381012 E-mail: madusha@chamber.lk