'BizPact' investor Forum in Jaffna
The first post-war investor Forum in Jaffna, 'BizPact' convened by
the Business for Peace Alliance (BPA), Sri Lanka's network of regional
business chambers will be held from January 6 - 7. The Forum will
attract national and international investments to the Southern and
Eastern regions of Sri Lanka, Business for Peace Alliance, CEO,
Secretary General Manique Mendis told a media briefing at the Sri Lanka
Foundation Institute yesterday.
The Forum will focus on responsible economic development
opportunities for small and medium enterprises and it will kindle the
interest of local and foreign investors to take advantage of the window
of opportunity to develop the regions of Sri Lanka, she said. BPA Vice
Chairman and Vavuniya Chamber of Commerce and Industries and
Agriculture, Past Chairman K.C. Suwarneraj said that investment
opportunities are very high in all areas and all types of investors are
welcome to Jaffna.
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, General Secretary Harin Malwatta said
that people in Colombo are very keen to get involved in this project and
the private sector has already made an enormous effort.
Malwatta said that there had been 745 SMEs in Jaffna before 1985 and
it dropped to 34 as a result of the war. However, the people have called
for four things to develop business again which includes opening of the
A9 road, trade between North and the rest of the country, lifting the
fishing ban and have a proper banking system.
The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Sri Lanka Tourism Authority, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, National
Chamber of Exporters, American Chamber of Commerce, the European Chamber
of Commerce in Sri Lanka, International Alert, UNDP and IOM are
partnering BPA in the conference. The BizPact investment forum Jaffna is
expected to attract Jaffna members of the Sri Lankan diaspora who wish
to invest in their home country.
The two-day program includes an interactive forum, a series of field
visits to project locations, opportunities to link up with the business
leaders in the North and the East and exchange samples of products.
BPA Project Chairman, C.J Gunaseela and Trincomalee District Chamber
of Commerce Director P. Wickramanayagam were also present. RK
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