Large delegation of entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka this November

• Commonwealth Business Forum to attract delegates from China, Russia among other non-member states

By Cheranka Mendis

Entrepreneurs from a number of countries that do not fall under the Commonwealth member states have expressed interest to partake in the Commonwealth Business Forum which is expected to unfold on the sidelines of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this November.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris addressing the induction of the CMA President for 2013/2015 last week noted that the delegates will not all be from the commonwealth and that the invitation has been extended to countries that have strong trade and economic ties with Sri Lanka. “This includes delegates from the Gulf region, CIS countries and others,” Peiris said.

“No fewer than 43 delegates have shown interest in attending the forum from the United Arab Emirates alone,” he added. “There will also be participants from China, Japan, Russia, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan.”

With Sri Lanka taking on the responsibility of hosting the meeting, the Business Forum will facilitate trade and investment opportunities, and thought sharing between key industrialists. The forum is expected to take place from 12-14 November in Colombo.

Sri Lanka is currently identifying project proposals for the business forum he said, noting that subjects under discussions seem to weigh heavily on the renewable energy source, construction, and manufacturing sectors. “We must take a fresh look at the avenues of education and skills training within the country as well.”

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 attended by over a thousand delegates. It resolves to present a valuable opportunity for high-level dialogue on trade and investment between business and government leaders from the Commonwealth and beyond.

The Forum is to be opened by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and will be followed by addresses from Commonwealth Heads of Government.

This major global business event comes at a critical time as the developed world continues its efforts to secure recovery from recession, tackle the challenges of maintaining open markets, and at a time when emerging markets are enjoying a greater prominence on the world stage than ever before.

“We must make maximum use of this opportunity,” Peiris urged. See also Page 9