C’ Wealth Biz Forum 2013 begins on 15

Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF 2013) will be held on November 15, 16 and 17 in Colombo.T he ’13 CBF campaign is scheduled to be launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo tomorrow. “The theme of the CBF 2013 will be ‘Partnering for Wealth Creation and Social Development –The CW, Indian Ocean and SAARC”.

It will highlight global economic partnerships for trade and investment, providing an opportunity to attract an important business and trading audience to Colombo” revealed Dr Mohan Kaul, Director General of CW Business Council, addressing Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka yesterday.

Visiting Dr Kaul was leading a CW team to Colombo consisting of Nilk Holme (Managing Director, CW Biz Council) and Sean Leno (CW Biz Council Manager Operations for Media) to take part in the Colombo 2013 campaign launch event. “The 54 member country backed CW Business Forum will be looking at both traditional and non-traditional trade linkages for the participants.

As many emerging markets are transforming into real markets, it is time CW knows what Sri Lanka’s business priorities with its member nations and vice-versa. There will also be a Trade Fair where Sri Lankan manufacturing and exports will be displayed for the international business visitors” Dr Kaul added. “There is also scope to meet the needs of CW member country by another member country.

For instance, there is strong need of know-how, training and technology for Nigeria’s apparel and textile sector which Sri Lanka can readily and profitably fulfil. In fact, the 600 Mn middle class in Africa is a very promising market for emerging economies such as Sri Lanka” Dr Kaul stressed. The first ever CBF was held in 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago. Last year’s CBF (CBF 2012) was held in Perth, Australia.