HDCC wins Best Networking Project at World Chamber Congress

Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) won the first place at the 2009 World Chambers Competition for the Best Networking Project with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce which was held at the sixth World Chamber Congress in Kuala Lumpur last week for their Post-Tsunami Chamber Cooperation project.

Director General HDCC Azmi Thassim said “Under this project, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce assisted us in building our capabilities as a chamber in economic development through training our staff. The Manchester Chamber also shared their expertise on certain areas such as building partnerships, bidding and organizing campaigns on promoting different sectors.

There were several categories at the 2009 World Chambers Competition which are Best Networking Project, Best Unconventional Project: Best International Project, Best Small Business Project and Best project from a Chamber in a Developing Country. HDCC applied for the Best Networking Project category.

“This project has helped HDCC in enhancing economic activities in the district as a regional chamber. We expect to share our knowledge and expertise with other regional chambers in the country,” he said.

“We have noticed that there is a huge improvement in infrastructure development in the Hambantota district with the port development project. Today many local and foreign investors are keen on investing in the Hambantota district, he said.

The Hambantota district was able to attract local blue chip companies such as Hayleys, Hemas and other reputed companies in Sri Lanka. Investments made in this district have increased and many more large scale investments have been proposed for Hambantota.