Investment tab launched

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), International Alert Sri Lanka and Youth Business Sri Lanka (YBSL) launched the 'Investment Tab'. It is a web based portal to encourage and enable regional entrepreneurs who want to start their own business but do not have sufficient funding to upload their business proposals to the Regional Enterprise Development Initiative (REDI) platform.

It is also meant for potential investors and partners, including the Sri Lankan diaspora, to access information and increase investment opportunities.

Secretary General/CEO of CCC Harin Malwatte addressing the gathering.

The Investment Tab is an attempt to provide a space to support sustainable regional business development, fulfilling a need of the regional business communities, said Secretary General/CEO of CCC Harin Malwatte. He also thanked International Alert and British High Commission Sri Lanka for the support provided to develop the Investment Tab and its focus to support the development of projects that accommodate and build on the potentials and strengths that already exist in the regions.

Chief Guest Head of Trade and Investment of the British High Commission Michael Halpinsaid that the launch of the Investment Tab is crucial with ongoing

development in the regions. He said that it addresses the long awaited need of partner organisations in the districts to get exposure to and the investors to

understand regional capacities. He stressed the overall development benefits it would bring to emerging businesses and young entrepreneurs.

The Sri Lanka and UK trade relationship is growing with over 100 UK companies in Sri Lanka and exports to the UK estimated at £815 billion with the imports increasing to £154 billion. "Sri Lanka is in the path of growth and it must be maintained by turning ideas into reality by connecting the small and medium businesses to the global economy".

UNP MP Badulla District Harin Fernando said that he was happy to see the launch of Investment Tab connecting the districts toInvestors.It acts as opportunity creator for young talent. He said that taking calculated risks will encourage the district economy to progress in the right direction.

As a part of International Alert Sri Lanka and YBSL program development the investment Tab supports the initiative of empowering the District Chambers to act as the link between the disadvantage youth by providing resources and access to business contacts, to reduce economic and social disparity through promotion of youth entrepreneurship in least developed/marginalised areas of Sri Lanka, especially in the North and the East.

This initiative is a part of the International Alert's efforts to encourage the Sri Lankan diaspora to review and explore business prospects in the country in a responsible manner.

These initiatives can enhance recovery, through supporting livelihoods and creating tangible economic opportunities at the regional level.

This is expected to be a response to the Government intentions to strive towards more socio-economic cohesion throughout the country, as envisioned in the Mahinda Chinthana, and the recommendation in LLRC report towards inclusive development to empower local infrastructure and empower marginalised communities.