[CHOGM 2013]

A huge boost for Sri Lanka

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM) will be a huge boost to the tourism industry as Sri Lanka will gain more exposure as a destination for tourism, said an Accommodation Committee member Vipula Vanegasekera.

He said the CHOGM will be a fillip for the MICE tourism industry which is a vital contributor to the economy of the country. MICE tourism has grown exponentially over the years with the influx of visitors from the region.

India is a major market for MICE tourism in Sri Lanka.

Water's Edge Hotel General Manager Rohan Fernandopulle said that preparations to host heads of states for the retreat sessions has been completed and the property has been given a complete facelift through the beautification program launched few months ago.

“We are ready to host the delegates proving them a memorable stay in our property which known for conferences”, he said.

Commonwealth Business Council Chairman Dr. Mohan Kaul at a recent media briefing on the preparations for the CHOGM said that the council was pleased with the preparations in Sri Lanka for the high level meeting and added that there had been a tremendous response from abroad across the Commonwealth and outside Commonwealth for business partnership with Sri Lanka.

Addressing media together with the Minister of external Affairs, Prof. G. L. Peiris at the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo Wednesday morning, Dr. Kaul said delegates from 65 countries have already confirmed their participation in the Business Forum and the largest delegation is from the United Kingdom.

“We have delegates from Commonwealth as well as non-Commonwealth countries,” he said.

“We expect a successful event where we hope a very good participation from some of the top business leaders”.

Each of the Presidents and Heads of States who are coming here are bringing a business delegation. So there is lot of expectations from us and hope that the CHOGM would not only be a good political gathering but also an event that would bring economic benefits to Sri Lanka.

We already have expressions of interest for businesses amounting to US$ 2 billion including investments airport, energy and tourism sectors, he said.

Despite Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s announcement of his non attendance in the Commonwealth Heads of States Summit many Canadian businessmen has expressed their participation in the Commonwealth Business Forum.

The Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Business Council, Dr. Mohan Kaul has said that Canadian businessmen have confirmed participation in the Commonwealth Business Forum, which is to be held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit.

He said that the decision of the Canadian government to boycott CHOGM would not deter Canadian business leaders’ participation in the business forum.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen extended an invitation to Austrian officials and business persons to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum and “Reflection of Sri Lanka” exhibition that would take place in Colombo next month.

During his meeting with Franz Wessig, Deputy Vice Minister for Economy, Family and Youth of Austria, the Minister apprised Wessig of the economic developments in Sri Lanka, including the significant growth in GDP and infrastructure development projects, among others.

Addressing the trade relations between the two countries, both Ministers agreed to further exploit the great potential for trade between Sri Lanka and Austria by diversifying and expanding trade relations.

The Indian daily Indian Express said that China is planning to woo Sri Lankans by sending a 120-member business delegation to the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) to be held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of States Summit. The CBF is open to non-commonwealth countries as well.

It said that the Chinese delegation would be the harbinger of a Sino-Lankan Strategic Cooperation Partnership, which would be based on the findings of field studies already conducted by Chinese business and economic fact-finding missions.

The paper said that there will be Chinese investments in Jaffna in the very near future, and enhancement of Sri Lankan exports of garments, tea, rubber, gems and jewellery and light engineering goods to China under a Free Trade Agreement being negotiated.

China is already Lanka’s biggest creditor, having pledged over a billion US dollars in 2012. Over 1,000 top foreign and local investors and business personnel from Commonwealth and Non-Commonwealth countries will participate in the Commonwealth Business Forum to be held in November, which will be the biggest ever business forum to be held in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera said that Sri Lanka has already forwarded 80 business proposals to the Commonwealth Business Forum.The Forum will take place in Colombo during November 12-14, 2013 in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The business forum would highlight opportunities for trade, investment and tourism in Sri Lanka focusing on areas, such as ports and shipping, agriculture, housing, tourism, education, IT and development.

Sri Lanka is expecting more than US$ 2 billion investment with the hosting of the event and it would provide Sri Lanka an opportunity to invest in other Commonwealth countries as well. The theme of the Forum will be “Partnership for Wealth Creation and Social Development: The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and SAARC’.

Government aware of voices of opposition on CHOGM: Chidambaram

Indian Finance Minister P . Chidambaram

If Wigneswaran can attend the meet, what is there for India to protest, ask Indian government sources

Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu have highlighted the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils while indicating their opposition to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh travelling to Colombo for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram confirmed that the government was “aware” of voices of opposition from Ministers from Tamil Nadu, but declined to identify them. At the same time, he drew attention to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin’s statement that all aspects of the country’s national interest, foreign policy priorities and international obligations are being considered while the government consults all stakeholders before deciding on the level of participation.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran is near certain to attend the CHOGM opening ceremony on November 15, said senior sources in the government. As most allegations of human rights abuses were from the Tamil majority Northern Province, where an election gave an overwhelming mandate to the Wigneswaran-led Tamil

National Alliance, the official said: “If he attends, what is now left for us to protest?” Foreign Ministers of Australia and South Africa, during meetings with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid in Perth, felt the summit was bigger than the human rights record of the host country.

-The Hindu

CHOGMs every two years

Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet at CHOGM to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and initiatives. CHOGMs are organised by the host nation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Issues discussed include international peace and security, democracy, good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education, environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication technology, law, multilateral trade issues, small states and youth affairs.

[CHOGM venues]

Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre

Event: Opening Ceremony :

The Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre will be the site of the opening ceremony of CHOGM 2013. The facility is a fully equipped, sate-of-the-art performance centre, meant for large-scale theatrical productions. Situated in the heart of Colombo city, this modern architectural masterpiece facilitates easy access for both local and foreign events. The theatre is also surrounded by several five star hotels and other commercial establishments, making the venue an ideal location for international gatherings.

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Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)

Event: Main Conference Venue :

Most of the main conference activities and meetings will take place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), which has, for a very long time, been Sri Lanka’s premier location for international meetings, plenary sessions, trade and academic shows, and other large-scale events.

As its name implies, BMICH was built to honour the memory of the prime minister of Sri Lanka from 1956 to 1959 S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. The Hall is an outright gift from the government and people of the People's Republic of China.

(PIC)

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Waters Edge

Event: Heads of Government Retreat :

The award-winning conference and recreational facility, Waters Edge, is where the Heads of Government retreat will take place. The facility located in the suburb of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, near Sri Lanka’s Parliament is surrounded by the tributaries of the Diyawanna Lake. The venue offers a serene environment where world leaders will gather to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the Commonwealth.

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Cinnamon Grand Colombo

Event: Business Forum :

The Cinnamon Grand Colombo a popular five-star hotel serves as an ideal location to bring together business leaders for the Commonwealth Business Forum.

International Convention Centre, Hambantota

Event: Youth Forum

(PIC)

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International Convention Centre, Hambantota

[Youth Forum in Hambantota]

The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) will be held for five days from Nov. 10-14, 2013, in the southern port city of Hambantota. The CYF is organised with several objectives: To allow youth leaders to exchange ideas and cultures, for youth participants to build skills and network, and to work toward identifying the most vital challenges and opportunities facing young people today.

A Youth-Led Task Force (YLTF) will be responsible for the planning and the organising of the CYF. The Task Force will consist of five youth leaders from Commonwealth member countries and five youth leaders from Sri Lanka, with co-chairs from each group. The YLTF is responsible for the entire program, including the daily agenda, themes for plenary sessions and the identification of resource persons, among others.

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Proposed Activities and Events

Four days will be allocated for the main forum of the Commonwealth Youth. Forum while one day will be set aside for sightseeing. Participants of the CYF will have the opportunity to take part in professional skills development programs, capacity building activities and cross-cultural programmes. The following are among some of the events and activities being planned for this year’s CYF:

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General Assembly of the Commonwealth Youth Council

The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) will be the new official and independent platform representing the voice of young people in the Commonwealth. The General Assembly of the CYC will meet every two years and will be the highest decision-making gathering of the CYF.

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Youth Dialogue

Newly-elected youth leaders of the CYC and co-chairs of the CYF Youth-Led Task Force will interface with the Heads of Government to share the outcomes of the CYF, share the collective youth vision for the Commonwealth and agree on how the youth group can work together with governments to achieve Commonwealth goals and objectives during the upcoming two years.

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Commonwealth Youth Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony is held to recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of award-winners from across the Commonwealth.

Volunteering: The volunteering program will be a local legacy project. The delegates will have the opportunity to volunteer in community projects in Sri Lanka that in turn contribute to major national development initiatives.

Cultural Visit: Participants of the Youth Forum will be taken on a visit to a place of historical or cultural significance.

Night Fair: The night fair will be one more opportunity for youth leaders from around the world to mingle, network and build relationships.