The highest national level recognition for the local entrepreneurship talent, the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year awards, organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka was concluded at the BMICH last week with W K H Wegapitiya, Chairman, Laugfs Holdings Ltd. clinching the Sri Lankan National Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 –Platinum Award.

The National Gold award for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 was won by Samantha Kumarasinghe, Chairman, Multichemi Group of Companies.

Chief Guest on the occasion Tore Hattrem, Ambassador of Norway in Sri Lanka, said that entrepreneurs have a crucial role to play in Sri Lanka as economic growth is decisive for the country’s development. He said that they provide larger tax revenues and in turn the tax monies were spent on essential and valuable national assets such as health and education.

He said that an entrepreneur was someone who saw opportunities that others might not see and who mobilized resources to create something new. He said that entrepreneurs were often at the heart of history’s great advances and were one of the world’s most important catalysts for economic growth. He said that entrepreneurs help reduce poverty by creating jobs and raising incomes.

Hattrem added, "The entrepreneurs additionally were the cornerstones in helping the country to move away from aid dependence and to avoid getting entangled in debt burdens with a heavy toll on the national economy."

He also took the opportunity to thank the entrepreneurs in Norway for their foresightedness in the hydropower and off-shore technology which laid the foundation for the current economy.

Nawaz Rajabdeen, President, FCCISL, said that while it was satisfying for individuals and organizations  to be recognized in any sphere of life, in the case of recognizing entrepreneurs was a reflection of the genuine appreciation of their contribution towards socio-economic advancement of the country of the country.

He said that genuine appreciation would be a significant morale booster to all those connected to industry and commerce. He added that they have been hosting the Entrepreneur Awards scheme for the last 12 consecutive years, and they took pride for pioneering the event, while others subsequently followed them.

He said that their Entrepreneurship Awards scheme has several unique characteristics such as wide coverage nationwide. Through these islandwide Entrepreneur competitions, FCCISL aimed to promote industrial and entrepreneurial growth in the whole country.  He said that they also honoured the women entrepreneurs. He also saluted those who have rebuilt their enterprises in the wake of the Tsunami through sheer unwavering grit and determination confronted by obstacles not of their making.