WB's Chief Economist (SA) to address SL Economic Summit

Kalpana Kochhar, Chief Economist for the South Asia Region (SA) of the World Bank is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2012 which will be held on July 11 and 12.

Kochhar will deliver her address on ‘Emerging Global and Regional Prospects and the Benefits of Regional Co-operation'. The inauguration ceremony will be held on July 10 at 6 pm at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

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.

This year's theme of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit is Positioning Sri Lanka in the Gobal Economy and the forum is the Ceylon Chamber's key initiative to identify and address future economic and commercial issues to develop appropriate strategic plans to meet these challenges. 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. She has also worked on China, Korea and the Philippines.

During her fund career, she has also worked in the Policy Development and Review Department (now known as the Strategy and Policy Review Department) and in the Fiscal Affairs Department.

Kochhar's research interests and publications have mainly focused on studies of Asian economies, including India and China.

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.

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 organizations 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.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is an effective spokesman of the Sri Lankan business sector. Through its many specialized committees, affiliated associations and 21 bilateral business councils, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce actively promotes international

business. Its members serve on various institutions and committees set up by the Government and the private sector. Registration is now open for the Sri Lanka Economic Summit and more information can be obtained from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce web on www.chamber.lk.