CBF, an opportunity for investment promotion

The Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) that will take place in Colombo in November in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to enlighten the world about the investment potential in the country, said Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris.

He was addressing the media in Colombo last week. The Forum is the premier business event in the Commonwealth bringing together Heads of Government, Ministers, and top business leaders from around the world and will be attended by over a thousand delegates, according to Commonwealth Business Council sources, a co-organiser of the event along with the Government of Sri Lanka. The Commonwealth Business Forum will be held at the Cinnamon Grand from November 12-14. It will focus on the theme 'Partnering for Wealth Creation and Social Development: The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean, Pacific, and SAARC'.

The CBF will enlighten the international community about the investment potential in Sri Lanka and showcase the socio economic development achieved after terrorism was eradicated, the Minister said.

The Minister said that in addition to delegates from Commonwealth countries, delegates from other countries outside the Commonwealth such as China, Russia and Japan will attend the business forum.

The forum will provide a valuable opportunity for high level dialogue on trade and investment between business and government leaders from the Commonwealth and beyond.

It will highlight new global economic partnerships for trade and investment in key sectors across the Commonwealth, according to sources at the Commonwealth Business Council.

Minister Peiris said the government with the cooperation of the private sector has prepared a series of proposals to enlighten foreign investors about the economic and investment potential available in the country.

An exhibition comprising 400 stalls displaying the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of the country will also be held along with the forum.

The exhibition aims at setting up a network for foreign investment to flow into the country and provide an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to set up international business relationships.