Int'l investor forum in East

Rasika Somarathna

Plans are afoot to hold an international investor forum in the Eastern province, titled "Invest in East", to attract both foreign and local investments to boost economic activities in the former conflict affected region.

The forum, a proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Production, Small Industries Development, Fisheries and Tourism of the Eastern province, is expected to attract over 300 potential investors from around the world.

Eastern PC Minister for the above subjects, Naseer Ahamed said, the event will be held as a joint initiative by his Ministry and the Ministry of Investment Promotion and Ministry of Economic Development of the Central government. The theme for the forum will be "Harnessing Untapped Opportunities for Wealth and Job Creation," he added.

According to Ahamed, the event is aimed to improve the investment climate and further encourage the inflow of domestic and foreign investments to the east. He said one of the main target groups were the Sri Lankan diaspora living overseas. The forum is slated to be held in July.

While noting that experts from many affiliated fields, including government officials will address the participants, Ahamed said that some of the areas covered will be tools of the state to support foreign investors, prospects for the development of public-private partnership, presentation of the capital investment proposals to foriegn partners and a demonstration of possible investment avenues.

He said panel discussions will focus on sub sector topics such as infrastructure for tourism, agro-processing, hospitality industry, creative arts, various tourism related fields, agriculture sector investment opportunities, livestock sector, fisheries and industrial sector investment opportunities.

Also officials have planned site visits for delegates, meetings with BOI, chambers of commerce and industry association officials and opportunities to network with lead industry sector players.