COYLE hosts annual ‘Diplomats Evening’ for networking

The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) held its second annual Diplomats Evening conference on 15 January at the Hilton to facilitate the networking and fellowship for expanding and consolidating international trade, both locally and internationally. The Chamber’s new profile and website was also launched at the event amidst many distinguished foreign diplomats, ministerial elite and COYLE members.

The event was an ideal forum for fellowship amongst members of the business fraternity and creating rapport with the representatives of foreign missions and embassies, providing an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and matters of mutual benefit.

 COYLE is committed to the vision of safeguarding the country’s economy and the Sri Lankan business community by playing a vital role of national importance. The Chamber also promotes entrepreneurship in the rehabilitation and development initiatives of the Government and international economic development of the country.

The key speaker was the Chief Guest at the event, the Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris who traced the small beginnings of the Chamber, its history and the combined experience of its esteemed members who used their imbibed foreign exposure and knowledge of local systems to blend them together towards workable and thus successful endeavours.

He applauded the efforts made by the Chamber in investing in such forums where an intense interaction between COYLE members and foreign officials, which lead to consolidation of friendships between the countries. He also endorsed the Government’s appreciation of the immense contribution made by COYLE towards the upliftment of the economy. Also present at the event was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody. The vote of thanks was made by COYLE’s Chairman Rohitha Silva.

In 1999, COYLE commenced its journey towards regenerating the corporate sector, by presenting itself as the milieu that bridges the gap between fundamental business segments in Sri Lanka. Instigated by 17 promising entrepreneurs, COYLE created and enhanced a pro-business environment, which is currently steered by 116 significant members of the Sri Lankan corporate community in investment, finance and industrial relations.

Comprising of the Chairman and controlling shareholders of over 750 companies of Sri Lanka, they contribute over Rs. 600 billion per annum to the Sri Lankan economy and provide employment to over 400,000 within its membership. Registered under the Companies Act of No. 17 of 1982, the Chamber is declared as a legitimate association on commercial operations.

COYLE is a business information portal that strengthens informal relationships while collaborating ventures and resources that generates new business opportunities. This is the underlining factor that has sustained the continuous existence of the Chamber over the past 14 years.