Top forum on future of SL’s economic cooperation with China, India next week

• Key initiative by Daily FT and Colombo Uni. MBA Alumni Association with HSBC

For the first time a top level forum highlighting the opportunities and challenges in economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and China as well as Sri Lanka and India will be held next week under a joint initiative of the Daily FT and the Colombo University MBA Alumni Association in strategic partnership with HSBC.

The compelling need for Sri Lanka to forge greater economic cooperation with two giants in the global economy, China and India, given its strategic geographic location has been a key Government policy. A Free Trade Agreement with China is being firmed up whilst expanding the FTA with India to a more comprehensive economic and technological agreement is also under advanced discussion. The majority of stakeholders have welcomed this thrust as Sri Lanka aspires to be a hub of logistics and the global supply chain while there are some reservations as well.

The Daily FT-Colombo Uni. MBAA- HSBC forum on Wednesday 14 June 2017 at the Cinnamon Grand 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. A key highlight will also be China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).



The forum will be conducted in two parts with the morning session focusing on Sri Lanka-China economic relations and the afternoon post-lunch session dealing with Indo-Lanka initiatives. 

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera is scheduled to be the Chief Guest at the morning session and 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. 

Strategic partner HSBC is flying down three of its specialists - Sunil Hiranandani, Director, Regional Head of Belt and Road Initiative, and Commercial Banking, HSBC; Rajat Verma, Trade specialist from HSBC, India; and Vina Cheung, Global Head of RMB Internationalisation, HSBC Global Liquidity and Cash Management - in addition to HSBC Sri Lanka CEO Mark Prothero for the 14 June forum. 

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 this key growing with the giants forum call Andrea 0768223926 or Malsha 0773095627 or email [email protected].