Businessmen and economists to discuss Govt policies

The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) has organised a discussion between business leaders and top economists to discuss government policies. The forum has been organised to facilitate private sector participation at pre-budget discussions of the 2014 budget.

PIM, Director Program (Public Policy), Dr. Lloyd Fernando said that the business environment is principally determined by government policies and there is a gap between policy makers, responsible government officials and the business community.

Every year in pre-budget discussions, business people ask for various concessions while the government asks the business community to contribute to the national economy. Some government policies have positive and negative impacts on different business sectors and they cause confusion over the objectives of the government.

For instance, exporters prefer depreciation of the currency while it is negatively impacts importers.

The government looks at these policies from the point of view of macroeconomic stability and the business community lacks knowledge on these issues, he said.

“In the program we will cover vast areas that are important for business leaders, starting from a holistic view of the entire development process, the role of public policy, and the direction in which it is moving, fiscal policy, international trade and balance of payment policy,” Fernando said.

He said that this forum will provide an opportunity for business leaders to interact with leading economists.

The resource persons will be Dr. Indrajit Aponsu, Dr. Anila Bandaranayake, W.A. Wijewardena, Dr. Saman Kelegama, Professor Uditha Liyanage, Dr. Rohan Perera, Dr. Ranee Jayamaha, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Dr. Anura Ekanayake, Dr. Koshy Mathai, Dr. Sarath Rajapthirana, Dr. Richard Vokes, Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria.

Applications to attend the event will close tomorrow and selection will be on a 'first come, first served basis', he said.

- GW