WB South Asia Chief Economist to address Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2012

Kalpana Kochhar, the Chief Economist for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2012.

Kochhar will deliver her address on ‘Emerging Global & Regional Prospects and the Benefits of Regional Cooperation’. The inauguration ceremony will be held on 10 July at 6 p.m. at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. The main sessions of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit will be held on 11 and 12 July 2012 at the same venue.

Kochhar has previously held the position of Deputy Director in the Asia and Pacific Department since August 2008 leading the IMF’s work on Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and Nepal. Prior to that, she spent time in the IMF’s Research Department and in the Asia and Pacific Department leading the IMF’s work on India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.



This year’s theme of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit is ‘Positioning Sri Lanka in the Global Economy’ and the forum is the Ceylon Chamber’s key initiative to identify and address future economic and commercial issues in order to develop appropriate strategic plans to meet these challenges.

The event will comprise of technical sessions titled ‘Sri Lankan Economy in Perspective,’ ‘Moving Beyond Conflict,’ ‘Opportunities in Emerging Markets,’ ‘Branding Sri Lanka,’ ‘Skills and Productivity to Compete in the Global Market,’ ‘Ease of Doing Business,’ ‘Sri Lanka Ranked 89, Fact or Fiction?,’ ‘Investing in Sri Lanka’ and ‘Positioning Sri Lanka in the Global Economy’. World-renowned speakers will share their insights as speakers and panellists at the eight sessions of the summit.

The 13th Sri Lanka Economic Summit is expected to bring together a cross section of policy makers, cabinet ministers, key government officials, private sector leaders, academics, representatives of international organisations and top corporate personnel in the country to discuss a strategy to effectively position Sri Lanka in the global economy in this Asian Century.

The Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2012 is the ultimate platform to gain a comprehensive understanding of the county’s economy, the investment climate and the diverse opportunities available for investors and businessmen. It also brings together the top corporate leadership of the country and the region with Government officers and other stakeholders to one platform providing a great networking opportunity. A large number of participants are expected to be drawn from both the private and public sectors in Sri Lanka and abroad.

Registration is now open for the Sri Lanka Economic Summit and more information can be obtained from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on (+ 94) 11 2328 880 or at www.chamber.lk.