Commonwealth Business Forum 2013 :

Around US $ 2 b in investment expected

Vishmi Wijeratne

The Commonwealth Business Forum 2013 to be held here in November will benefit Sri Lanka and provide a networking opportunity. Sri Lanka will receive about US $ 2 billion in investment by hosting this event, said Commonwealth Business Forum Chairman Mohan Kaul.

The Commonwealth Business Forum will be held in Sri Lanka from November 12 to 14 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

Kaul told the gathering that this is the first time that a Commonwealth Business Forum is to be held in Sri Lanka.

Kaul said many Commonwealth countries will participate in the event, while non Commonwealth countries like China will also be invited to participate in the forum, providing a platform for interactive networking.

“The aim of the forum is to bring in investment opportunities to Sri Lanka, but it is not just Sri Lanka participating in the forum. Therefore it will provide Sri Lanka an opportunity to invest in other Commonwealth countries. We will be also seeking for an ‘Africa Sri Lanka partnership through this forum.” he said.

The theme for this years Commonwealth Business Forum will be” the Indian Ocean as the countries surrounded by its waves are continuing in a growing trend in terms of business”. Around 1,000 participants will be present at the forum to broaden their horizons of opportunity, while 200 foreign delegates and 200 Sri Lankan companies will be active participants.

“The forum will focus on areas, such as, ports and shipping, agriculture, housing, tourism, education, IT and development in Sri Lanka. This forum will also provide opportunities for the private sector to expand its horizons, ” Kaul said. “There will be several meetings after the forum in Hambantota, Jaffna and Kilinochchi showcasing investment opportunities in these regions,” he said.