CSE hosts investor fora in Europe

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) hosted 'Invest Sri Lanka' investor fora in Zurich and London on Wednesday and Thursday. The breakfast meeting in Zurich was hosted with the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC), while the forum in London was hosted with Bloomberg.

The combined attendance at the fora numbered nearly 200 and included major institutional investors with assets of over US$ 110 million. The breakfast meeting at the Widder Hotel in Zurich showcased Sri Lanka's potential as an investment destination, Whereas the forum in London at the Savoy spanning two days, featured a longer program for investors to meet representatives of listed companies.

The forum in London featured 12 listed companies. The companies were: John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, National Development Bank, Dialog Axiata, Carsons Cumberbatch, Lion Brewery, People's Leasing and Finance, Softlogic Holdings, Tokyo Cement, Singer Sri Lanka, MTD Walkers and Sunshine Holdings.

Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake made the keynote address, while Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Vajira Kulatilaka and Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), Vajira Wijegunerwardane made presentations on the opportunities in the capital market and the regulatory framework.

A macroeconomic overview of the country was provided by Country Head, Sri Lanka of Copal Amba (A Moody's subsidiary), Chanakya Dissanayake. The main presentations were followed by a panel discussion and a question and answer session.

In Zurich, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ravinatha Ariyasinha made the opening remarks while in London the opening remarks were made by Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa.

The London forum also featured presentations by Chief Executive Officer, London Stock Exchange and Director of International Development and Ashish Swarup of First State Investments.