Investor drive for regional development
by Shirajiv SIRIMANE
The first major post-war investor confab for regional development "BizPact",
supported by Government agencies and big business chambers, will be held
from June 25 to 29 in Colombo. The event is being organized by Business
for Peace Alliance (BPA).
Investors, which mainly include the Sri Lankan Diaspora from UK, USA,
Australia, Canada and other countries, and local investors will attend
this event. It seeks to build a unique platform linking big business
based in Colombo, international investors and Sri Lankan investors
domiciled overseas, together with the small and medium scale businesses
and entrepreneurs in the regions throughout Sri Lanka.
Soon after the conclusion of war last month President Mahinda
Rajapaksa made an appeal to Sri Lankans living abroad to come to Sri
Lanka and help rebuild the nation.
This conference is also aimed at attracting the local entrepreneurs
who are based overseas.Chairman, BPA Suresh de Mel, maintained that the
small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs) throughout Sri Lanka are
ready to take advantage of the emerging window of opportunity to rebuild
the nation and collaborate with investors using the "bottom up" approach
to development.
CEO, of BPA, Manique Mendis said that the confab would be coupled
with visits to the regions where investors could be able to have a first
hand look at opportunities available.
These visits will provide an opportunity for local and foreign
investors to take forward strides in developing the regions of Sri Lanka
through joint venture partnerships with the SMEs in the regions.
Besides matching investors and deserving entrepreneurs from the
regions, the Conference will provide prospective investors an
opportunity for dialogue on policy issues relating to investment in the
regions with high level Government officials and first hand insights
into the regions revealing the ground realities of Sri Lankan situation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka
Tourism Authority, Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process,
National Chamber of Exporters, Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka, American
Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka
are partnering BPA in this Conference. Minister of Public Administration
and Internal Affairs, and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr.
Sarath Amunugama MP will deliver the keynote address of the event, on
June 25 at the BMICH.
A panel discussion on Investment opportunities in the North East,
Mannar, Moneragala and other lagging regions will be brought to focus by
Group Director, Maharaja Organisation, Nimal Cooke, Director, Economic
Affairs, Government Peace Secretariat, Rohantha Athukorala and many
other speakers, on June 29 at Galadari. |
