Sri Lanka Investment Promotion conference today in Tokyo

Thursday, 11 October 2012 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The second annual Investment Promotion conference organised by New World Securities and its partners in association with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan will be held today in Tokyo.

Senior Minister for International Cooperation Dr. Sarath Amunugama, who is in Tokyo leading the Sri Lankan delegation to the IMF World Bank 2012 Annual Meetings, also held in the Japanese capital, will be the Chief Guest.

The first conference was held in December last year and the 2012 edition was timed to coincide with the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings. With focus being promoting both portfolio investments into stock market as well as foreign direct investments, around 100 representatives from Japanese financial services industry, including asset management companies, securities companies, private equity, as well as travel and tourism, logistics, real estate and property development, and trading organisations, have confirmed participation at today’s conference to be held at Akihabara Convention Hall in Tokyo. New World Securities shareholder A2 Media in Japan has marketed the conference among Japanese companies.

Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal, who is also attending annual meetings, will address the investment promotion seminar as well. Other speakers include Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Japan Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, New World Securities Chairman and Japanese investor in Sri Lanka Takasshi Igarashi, SEC Director Capital Market Development and Research Vajira Wijegunawardena, Ceybank Unit Trust Chairman K.L. Hewage.

There also will presentations by representatives of several private sector and listed public companies who are participating in the conference. Among them are Expolanka Holdings Group CEO Haniff Yoosuf, Pan Asia Bank Chairman Managing Director Nimal Perera, Citrus Leisure Director Dilith Jayaweera, Royal Ceramics Director Tharana Thoradeniya, and MAC Holdings Chairman Andre Fernando. They will also hold one-to-one meetings with interested Japanese companies and investors.

Last year’s event was a success, with several participating Lankan companies establishing new partnerships or business deals.