|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 02 March 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Investing in infrastructure The International Exhibition and Investor Forum INTRAD 2003, themed 'Regaining Sri Lanka, Invest in our Infrastructure', will be held from September 5 to 7 at the new BMICH Exhibition Centre. The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) is projecting the exhibition and investor forum as a national event to revive the economy as upgrading the infrastructure of the country is the need of the hour with the ceasefire agreement in place and the peace initiative between the Government and the LTTE progressing well. "We have taken up the challenge of promoting investment opportunities in the infrastructure sector as a national responsibility. The exhibition will showcase all investment opportunities available in the country within a time span of three days," said Deputy President NCCSL and Chairperson INTRAD 2003 Organising Committee N. Samaratunga. "It will be a private, public sector partnership unlike other trade exhibitions as we have the participation of all relevant ministries as well as the Board of Investment and the Bureau of Infrastructure Investment." The NCCSL moved away from the previous INTRAD exhibitions which were purely targeted at the industrial and trade sectors as development of infrastructure is essential to attract more investment into the country. "This year's event will be a novel experience for all participants as our objective is to project a comprehensive overview of the available resources and the opportunities for investment in the infrastructure sector," she added. Organised by NCCSL Conventions, the event organiser of NCCSL, the exhibition will showcase 10 potential sectors that have investment opportunities. The investor forum will focus on two or three areas which have high potential and urgently needed to increase the economic growth of the country. The 10 sectors are Transport (air, land and sea), Information and Communication Technology, Power and energy, Tourism, Housing and Construction, Agriculture, Banking and insurance, Health services, Educational services and Environmental services. Key policy makers and experts on the relevant sectors will address the sessions while there will be an opportunity to have one-to-one meetings with potential investors. Special focus will be given to projects in the North and East. Attracting Foreign Direct Investment is a major responsibility of both public and private sectors and should be a continuing process. Therefore, showcasing all opportunities and projects in the pipeline under one roof will enable the potential investor to get a clear idea and also get further information from the high-powered committee present at the venue during the event, she said. The five regional economic commissions will have separate pavilions where they will highlight the resources available in the respective zones as well as the opportunities for investment. Local and foreign infrastructure service suppliers too will exhibit their products and services. "We have informed Sri Lankan missions abroad and foreign missions in Colombo of the event and its importance to the country. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, SriLankan Airlines and the Sri Lankan Tourist Board will promote the event overseas." To maximise overseas participation, the NCCSL is personally writing and emailing identified corporates based overseas. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
