MR to kick off ‘All World Network’ today; to encourage promising companies with Top 25

Thursday, 6 March 2014 01:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will today kick off the Sri Lankan edition of ‘All World Network’ program, which identifies the most advanced emerging companies. The initiative aims to encourage strategic advancement of Sri Lankan companies as well to find and credential 25 of the country’s fastest growing privately-held companies.

At its launch President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be joined by the initiative’s Co-Founder and CEO Anne Habibya and Ambassador of the USA in Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison. Other Co-Founders of the program are Prof. Michael Porter of Harvard Business School of USA and Deidre Coyleto. With the introduction of a number of measures for the improvement of competitiveness of our economy, President Rajapaksa has set a target that Sri Lanka should position itself in the top ranking countries of the world in the export of high value teas, apparel products, IT and software products and other specific product sectors by 2020. Private sector entrepreneurs are now required to meet these challenges. Companies from all parts of the country and all sectors would be eligible to apply online for this program to become the Sri Lanka 25, and the winners join the elite All World network spanning the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, Pakistan and India. They will become inspirational icons of success and themselves support earlier stage entrepreneurs as mentors or investors, creating a deeper ecosystem for growth and innovation. The Business Community in Sri Lanka is joining hands in organising this event with the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), which is coordinating this nationally important event. The purpose of this function is to send a strong international message that Sri Lanka is open for business, enabling the identified fastest growing companies to join the elite All World network which will allow them to expand their local and global network of partners, investors, customers and participate in the All World Summit at Harvard. Depending on the success, the program could be extended to 100 companies. This event will be preceded by a presentation by Ministry of Finance and Planning Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera on the ‘Role of the Entrepreneur’. A large gathering representing all sectors of the economy is expected to witness the launch of this prestigious program.