HSBC backs forum on SL’s greater economic cooperation plans with China, India

Comes in as strategic partner for 14 June key forum of Daily FT and Colombo Uni. MBAA

Leading international bank in Sri Lanka, HSBC, is backing a forum which will highlight Sri Lanka’s efforts to forge greater economic cooperation with China and India.

HSBC, celebrating its 125th anniversary in Sri Lanka in July this year, has come forward as the strategic partner of the Daily FT-Colombo University MBA Alumni Association’s full-day forum themed ‘Grow with the Giants’, which will focus on Sri Lanka’s future economic cooperation with China and India with a host of international, region and local experts being present at the Cinnamon Grand on 14 June.  

“We believe that Sri Lanka has much to gain through her strategic location and with further expansion of cooperation with both China and India. Sri Lanka is positioned centrally along the maritime Silk Road and therefore an integral part of China’s One Belt-One Road (OBOR) initiative that will increase investment and foster international collaboration and touch upon all aspects of the infrastructure and the construction value chain, from governments to contractors, investors, equipment manufacturers and commodities producers,” said HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives Chief Executive Officer Mark Prothero. “Located at the doorstep to India, one of the fast growing economies and a market with potential for increased trade and investment, the forum is very timely,” he added.

The 14 June forum will bring together several global, regional and local experts and thought leaders to highlight the potential as well as challenges in Sri Lanka’s quest to forge enhanced economic cooperation with China and India, which are the two most active development partners for the country.

HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Mark Prothero (second from right) presents the sponsorship cheque to Colombo University MBA Alumni Association President Sarmaa Mahalingam (second from left). HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives Head of Commercial Banking Peter Hughan and Colombo University MBA Alumni Association Management Conference Project Chairman Lasintha Ferdinando are also present - Pic by Ruwan Walpola

As strategic partner, HSBC is flying down three of its specialists - Sunil Hiranandani, Director, Regional Head of ‎ Belt and Road Initiative for Commercial Banking; Rajat Verma, Managing Director and Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC India; and Vina Cheung, Global Head of RMB Internationalisation, HSBC Global Liquidity and Cash Management - in addition to Prothero.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera is scheduled to be the Chief Guest at the morning session while Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake will be the Chief Guest in the afternoon. Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu and a senior official from the Chinese Embassy will speak as well.

Leading economist W.A. Wijewardena and Dr. Janaka Wijeyasiri as well as young business leaders Ceylon Biscuits Group Managing Director Sheamalee Wickramasinghe, Brandix CFO Hasitha Premaratne and Hayleys Advantis Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne are among the speakers and panellists.

To book your seat for the ‘Growing with the Giants’ forum call Andrea on 0768223926 or Malsha on 0773095627 or email [email protected].‎