ICC opens trading at CSE to celebrate centenary year
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) rang the Opening Bell to commence trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on June 6, 2019, to mark the world business organisation’s 100-year anniversary.
ICC represents over 45 million companies in over 100 countries, with a mission to make business work for everyone, every day and everywhere.
The Bell Ringing event was hosted for ICC Sri Lanka and was part of a series of initiatives conducted around the globe in celebration of the ICC centenary year.
Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody, Secretary Shanil Fernando, Treasurer Sheanath De Soysa and Past Chairs Mahendra Amarasuriya, Tissa Jayaweera, Keerthi Gunawardane, along with the staff and senior management from ICC Sri Lanka were present at the event.
The CSE was represented by Chairman Ray Abeywardena, Directors Anton Godfrey, Dilshan Weerasekera, CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike and the senior management of the exchange. The event was also attended by invitees from the Sri Lankan business community.
Abeywardena, speaking at the event congratulated ICC for completing 100 successful years of furthering the interests of businesses around the world and facilitating global trade.
“The ICC making its presence felt in countries like Sri Lanka and making a difference to our business community, indicates how ICC has evolved into a truly international organisation during the past 100 years,” he added.
Abeywardene also said, “We particularly congratulate ICC Sri Lanka for the work that has been carried out here on home soil since inception in 1995, especially in terms of paving the way for local companies to connect to global networks. Through ICC Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan corporates have access to a truly global organisation with a widespread network and record of fostering international cooperation.”
Weerakkody said, “We are honoured to celebrate the centenary year of the ICC here in Sri Lanka with a Bell Ringing ceremony at the Colombo Stock Exchange. ICC Sri Lanka is committed to continue to advocate for Sri Lankan businesses and trade in the international stage. ICC Sri Lanka works through several committees to debate, discuss and suggest solutions on subjects related to the mandate of the chamber. ICC can play a special role in connecting business to the world and be a driving force for all Sri Lankan businesses.”
Global initiatives to mark the milestone of ICC completing 100 years was initiated in Paris last week, where a celebratory ICC Centenary Summit took place gathering corporate, political and civil society leaders to discuss private sector contributions to address global challenges, including world trade reform, climate change, rising inequality, digital inclusion and longterm market incentives. Centenary events are also set to take place in each region of the world.