Business leaders’ wish for 2011: A year of takeoff

The country’s business leaders are welcoming the new year with positive sentiments, positioning Sri Lanka for prosperity and calling on the private sector to take the ball and run with it, in the backdrop of Budget 2011 setting the stage for a more conducive atmosphere.

Sentiments expressed by a select group of business leaders with whom the Daily FT spoke were positive all round, with all sectors – especially tourism and tea – gearing up for growth.

Expectations are high that 2011 will be the best year yet for Sri Lanka, having emerged from a three-decade war, with a stable Government and innovative Budget in place.

The business environment is expected to get better and biz leaders called upon the business community to work together in order to achieve the country’s economic growth goals and capitalise on the investment climate created as well as the private investment and business climate made available through the Budget.

Expectations are high that the strong political environment will increase productivity of business and the country as a whole, and that there will be tremendous opportunity for Sri Lankan companies to grow.

Many companies are also looking forward to aggressive expansion in the new year, especially with new developments, industries and foreign direct investment coming in.

Asserting that the economy would take off in the year ahead, the biz leaders also called for sustainable growth backed by stability in policy decisions and a positive mindset and noted that the people should work for the common good of the country to harness the peace dividend.

As the country welcomes a new decade of uphill growth and development following 30 years of war, 2011 is projected to be a challenging and exciting year, filled with new experiences and an aggressive performance culture.