Bharti Airtel, a principal sponsor of CHOGM Business Forum

Bharti Airtel Lanka will be a principal sponsor of the Commonwealth Business Forum 2013, which will held from November 12-14 in Colombo.

CEO, Airtel, Suren Goonewardene

The Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 summit will be a landmark event for Asia as it is hosted by an Asian country for the first time in 24 years.

The Forum is organised by the Government and the Commonwealth Business Council. This biennial event is a meeting point for the leaders of diverse countries to discuss global issues such as multi lateral trade matters, international peace and security, environmental issues, gender equality, health, human rights and other political and socio-economic issues.

The Commonwealth Business Forum 2013 (CBF), which is an integral and imperative component of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will focus on the development of some of the fastest growing economies through the theme 'Partnering for Wealth Creation and Social Development: The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and SAARC'.

While from an international perspective, the CBF provides member countries an opportunity to collaborate and collectively influence global trade and investment issues, identify potential investment opportunities, act as a platform for governments and business leaders to network with each other and conduct business partnerships with international partners.

The forum also enables the host country to attract potential investment into the country and expose the investment potential of Sri Lanka to the region and the rest of the world and pave the way for investment opportunities globally.

The CBF 2013, the biggest business event ever held in Sri Lanka will be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

While over 12 Heads of Government will address the event, over 1,000 delegates from 60 countries, six continents and 100 international business leaders are due to speak at this forum.

CEO and MD, Bharti Airtel Lanka, Suren Goonewardene said, "It is a great privilege for Airtel Lanka to sponsor a landmark event such as the Commonwealth Business Forum. We believe that this forum will help Commonwealth countries reap the benefits of bilateral co-operation."

"As a long-standing investor in Sri Lanka, Airtel Lanka believes that the time is opportune for our country to take a more active role in implementing development initiatives and strengthen the macroeconomic environment," he said.

"This forum is ideal for Sri Lanka to send out a clear message about its stable economic environment that would encourage international investors. The Commonwealth countries wield great influence over changing the landscape of the global economy. We expect this forum to provide a common platform for sharing strategies and discuss opportunities for wealth creation and social development which would make a better impact on the global economy," Gunawardene said.

The Commonwealth Business Forum will provide the ideal platform for macro level dialogue on investment and trade among government and leaders representing the Commonwealth countries.

It is also expected to attract diverse business networking opportunities bringing together Heads of Government, ministers and business leaders from around the world. The event will also bring together an array of investment opportunities along with potential investors, government bodies, global technology and knowledge based industries and a range of access opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, education, IT, BPO, renewable energy and infrastructure.