Sri Lanka Banks’ Association says CHOGM ideal platform to flaunt SL progress
Thursday, 24 October 2013 00:00
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The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) is highly optimistic on the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) as it is confident that the event will bring an array of opportunities for not only the banking sector, but for the entire business community.
With the CHOGM scheduled to take place in Colombo in mid-November this year, Sri Lanka will come under the spotlight as over a 1000 delegates are expected to arrive in the country. The SLBA expressed that this much awaited event will allow the nation to flaunt the immense progress it has made since the end of the 30 year war.
“Being the first Asian country to host the CHOGM is certainly an honour for the nation and this itself indicates the potential of the country. Sri Lanka has achieved a great deal within the past four years. In addition the economic growth, it has given confidence that this development is sustainable and will continue shoot upwards in the future. Those visiting the country for this prestigious event can witness first-hand the transformation Sri Lanka has undergone since 2009,” stated SLBA Chairman N. Vasantha Kumar.
While the CHOGM will bring numerous opportunities which the local business community can benefit from, Kumar emphasised that Sri Lanka has many attractions for foreign trade. “Sri Lanka has been seen for decades as a supplier of raw materials. It is time we take the necessary steps to be known as a manufacturing country instead. Doing so will open doors for investments and the entire economic development will accelerate. The CHOGM is an ideal platform to showcase the investment potential of the country,” he noted.
SLBA Secretary General Upali De Silva said that the country, having a booming service sector, can offer its high quality knowledge workers to further promote and uplift the nation’s status in the world.
“With our competitive pricing, we can expect a service sector boom. Our knowledge workers have proved to be second to none,” he stated.
De Silva pointed out that the hosting of the CHOGM will also encourage those who have left the country for better opportunities to return and service their own nation.
“With the number of opportunities that is going to follow the CHOGM, those who have left their motherland will be confident to come back and contribute to the development of the country,” expressed De Silva. He added that banks could benefit immensely from the variety of opportunities that will surface in investment, global trade etc. through the networking of likeminded people within the Commonwealth nations who will be participating at the CHOGM.
