Commonwealth Business Forum launched under President's patronage

The Commonwealth Business Forum on the sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting which is to take place in Colombo on November 15, 16 and 17 next year, was launched under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's patronage yesterday.

The Forum's theme this year is 'Supplying resources and social development'.

The Forum's prime objective is to have a partnership with global economic stakeholders to promote trade and investment. The Forum also aims at attracting the business community to Sri Lanka.

This Forum comprising 54 member countries is held to promote traditional and non traditional trade relations among member states. In line with this Forum, an exhibition showcasing Sri Lankan products and export goods for international business communities will be held in due course.

The exhibition will promote trade relations between member states.

Sri Lanka will host the Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2013. Ministers Prof G L Peiris, Prof Tissa Vitarana, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Rishard Bathiutheen and Douglas Devananda, Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, CWBF chairman Dr Nohan Kaul and Bank of Ceylon chairman Gamini Wickramasinghe were also present.