'Lanka should lead strong delegation for Korean Expo'

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

A concerted effort to promote the country as the next Asian power house that will enable Sri Lanka to be the region's economic hub will have huge benefits in terms of socio and economic development. The key organizations of the country such as the Tourist Board, the Export Development Board, the BOI and the Economic Development Ministry should play a proactive role in materializing this target, Business Promoter and Coordinator for local and foreign investors, Dr. M.G.M.S. Zurfick told Daily News Business.

Dr. M.G.M.S. Zurfick

These institutions should act as a one-stop-shop making it easy for the investors and the business community especially from the international arena to establish their ventures in Sri Lanka, he said.

"The Expo Sri Lanka 2012 could be considered as a launching pad for the country to forge ahead in reaching its ambitious growth targets. The remarks made by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at this event to make Sri Lanka Asia's economic hub could be made a reality by a clear vision and collective effort. We all need to reach consensual understanding in this regard", he said.

The mega scale infrastructure development activities including the expansion of the Colombo Port and other port related development will steer the economic growth. These development activities need to be carried out under a strict time frame to derive the benefits.

"The follow up work is necessary and we could consider Korea Expo 2012, the 93 day mega event to boost our strength. The local products could be exhibited attracting buyers around the world. This could be an image building process," he said.

Korea Expo 2012 is an opening for Sri Lanka to attract trade and investment. A good demand could be anticipated for many products and promotion of products such as tea, gem, jewellery, handicraft, herbal products, textile, ceramic wear and furniture have huge market potential.

A mechanism to build confidence and woo investment needed to be improved. The younger generation should be encouraged to be entrepreneurs to generate investment and employment opportunities. There should be flexible open policies and a task force especially designated to make the country more export oriented as it should be the way forward, he said.

"I firmly believe that there is a good opportunity to realize the country's ultimate goal. The support of the senior citizens where wealth of knowledge and experience could be drawn from will be an asset. This is a challenge I like to face and my last lap for the country will be to make Sri Lanka reach the top", Zurfick said.