Now that peace has finally dawned in Sri Lanka, the business community is stepping forward to make its contribution to the economic development of the country and the wellbeing of our people.  Investing in small and medium sized enterprises in the regions is one way of doing so, and it is good business too.

The Business for Peace Alliance launched a groundbreaking initiative in this field last week, announcing plans for the first major conference to engage Sri Lankan expatriates.  Scheduled to take place from 25th to 29th June 2009, the BizPact Invest in Sri Lanka Symposium aims to bring potential investors both from abroad and from the Colombo business elite to look at a range of carefully vetted projects of regional entrepreneurs.  These include everything from traditional arts and crafts to innovations that have the potential to set new trends.

Participants are expected from more than a dozen countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.  Following the conference, they will visit the projects in whichever area most interests them, from Hambantota to Trincomalee, to get a personal insight into the opportunities presented in the business plans on offer.

Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo, Ms. Manique Mendis, Secretary General and CEO of the Business for Peace Alliance, commented on the huge disparity between Colombo and the rest of the country.  She stressed that the essential purpose of Business for Peace Alliance was to encourage and facilitate development outside Colombo, saying that this new era of peace would bring many opportunities for commerce.

Mr. Suresh de Mel, representing the Hambantota Chamber of Commerce, explained that the conference was envisaged as a ‘hand-up’, rather than a ‘hand-down’.  In other words, the intention was to develop the regions through their own initiative and effort, rather than by governmental or donor hand-outs.  This bottom-up approach not only would ensure the sustainability of the projects, he said, but also would enhance business and management capabilities at the regional level.

Former Chairman of the Sabaragamuwa District Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mr. Cholomondoly Gunaseela noted the importance of entrepreneurs in the regions organising themselves to take such initiatives forward.  He spoke of the ample opportunities that were available in the regional economies, from natural resources to human skills.  He added that the conference touched on two of the key messages H.E. the President had communicated in his recent victory address to the nation – first, the importance of developing the regions, and secondly, the need to invite expatriates to get involved in rebuilding Sri Lanka.

On behalf of the Peace Secretariat, Mr. Rohantha Athukorala stressed the pioneering nature of the initiative.  Expatriates had much to offer Sri Lanka, he said, and this was the perfect time for them to reengage.  Now that the country has been reunited, vast areas are opened up for business, and the potential cannot be overstated.  Investing now would also be a great service, he said, as economic opportunities had to be provided to all Sri Lankans to ensure that the peace won after so much effort stayed with us for good.

The BizPact Invest in Sri Lanka Symposium is being organised by the Business for Peace Alliance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Board of Investment, the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the National Chamber of Exporters, the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, the European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka and the Peace Secretariat.


Economic Affairs Division
Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process