National Business Excellence Awards concludes on high note

Overall winners of NBEA 2021 and Office Bearers of the Chamber are in the picture, (from left): Deepal Nelson, Senior Deputy President, National Chamber, HJS Condiments Limited (Bronze Award Winner), Ceylon Biscuits Limited (Gold Award Winner), National Development Bank PLC (Silver Award Winner) and Nandika Buddhipala, President of the National Chamber

The National Chamber announced ‘The National Business Excellence Awards 2021’ celebrating its 17th year was concluded successfully on March 22 at the BMICH, attended by a large gathering of business community, leaders from corporate world, distinguished guests and invitees. 

The National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) is an Annual Awards Competition designed and conducted by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka with a view to recognising the business enterprises which have demonstrated excellence in business, whilst contributing to the economic progress of the country. 

Being one of the pioneering Awards Competitions initiated as way back as 2004, by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, NBEA, has maintained its highest standards and gained much recognition and prestige amongst the business community as a well-structured awards scheme recognizing “Excellence” of businesses in Sri Lanka, consecutively for 17 years.

Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka Eric Lavertu, Chief Guest of the event, addressing the gathering highly appreciated the Sri Lankan private sector for their painstaking effort taken to develop the country’s export sector which helps to expand the economy to a greater extent.

He said in spite of the pandemic situation, Sri Lankan export sector has recorded a significant development during the last few years. The Ambassador also highlighted the close business rapport between Sri Lanka and France and reminded on the launching of water supply projects in Negambo and also in Jaffna. 

The French Ambassador also said that direct flight services between Sri Lanka and France have commenced and said this will further strengthen the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. He said many French companies have also started business ventures in Sri Lanka and this situation will further strengthen business activities between Sri Lanka and France.

The Ambassador also highlighted that Sri Lanka is seeking the assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at this juncture to provide uninterrupted services to people in the country which is a step taken in the right direction.

Ambassador Lavertu also highlighted the value of conducting such Business Excellence awards ceremonies by the National Chamber every year and said this sort of recognition will further strengthen personalities who are involved in various kinds of business activities.

National Chamber President Nandika Buddhipala said, the National Chamber encourages the business community to adopt the purpose of their institutions to be more aligned towards creating long term sustainability and creating value for all in the society and not restricting to a selected few.

Buddhipala further elaborated that through the future improvements expected to be introduced to NBEA application, it is expected to highlight the importance of adhering to Sustainable Development Goals by our organizations and encourage Diversity Equality and Inclusion (DEI) embedded in governance frameworks of Sri Lankan institutions to move from a concept to commitment.