Discussions to build global SL brands

Private and public sector leaders will convene at the Shape the World Conference in Sri Lanka on January 28, 2013 at the Galadari Hotel.

This is the first time a Shape the World initiative will take place in Sri Lanka and it is expected to attract over 200 leaders from business and non-profit sectors, including multinational corporations and small and medium enterprises, as well as the government.

New thinking on Sri Lankan brands, and the challenges they face in the country's expanding economy, will take centre stage at the conference.

With Europe in turmoil and a US economy still struggling to find its feet, Asian economies are playing a bigger role in driving global sustainable growth. However, while Asia is expected to serve as a growing market for consumer products, few Asian brands have neared the top league of brands.

To lead in the future, Sri Lankan companies must catch up in terms of creating intellectual property, developing unique business models and designing new experiences.

Lawrence Chong, CEO of Consulus and President of Design Business Chamber Singapore, will present the Conference.

He has spoken extensively in the region, most recently at the World Brand Congress in Mumbai and the World Marketing Summit in Bangladesh.

"Sri Lanka is so well-positioned to shape the future of Asia with a well-educated population and a strong network of Sri Lankan professionals in the region.

The opportunity is there for Sri Lanka to take bold steps to leapfrog competition and become brand leaders through technology and experience design," said Chong.

Organized by Hummingbird International in partnership with Consulus Singapore, the talks will explore the trends and challenges affecting the rise of Asian and Sri Lanka brands; the development of a new generation of Asian leaders; organisational strategies to enable collaboration and innovation; the role of the public sector in nurturing the growth of Asian brands; and fresh strategic perspectives derived from an integrated business and design approach.

Shape the World Conferences, which highlight the role of Asian brands and their leadership values, have gathered more than 4,000 delegates from around the region since 2005. The conference was launched in Singapore and has since been introduced to fast-growing economies such as Vietnam.

Over the past decade Q&E has been an avid advocate of the development of the Sri Lankan business landscape.