The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) is optimistic about the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) as it is confident that the event will bring a wide range of opportunities not only for the banking sector, but also the
entire business community, SLBA Chairman N. Vasantha Kumar said.
He said with the CHOGM scheduled to take place in Colombo in mid-November this year, Sri Lanka will come under the spotlight since over 1,000 delegates are expected to arrive in the country.
This much awaited event will allow the nation to flaunt the immense progress it has made since the end of the 30 year war, he said.
“Being the first Asian country to host the CHOGM is certainly an honour for the nation and this itself indicates the potential of the country. Sri Lanka has achieved a great deal within the past four years,” Kumar said.
He said in addition to economic growth, it has given confidence that this development is sustainable and will continue to progress further in the future.
“Those visiting the country for this prestigious event can witness first-hand the transformation Sri Lanka has undergone since 2009,” Kumar said.
He said while the CHOGM will bring numerous opportunities which the local business community can benefit from, Sri Lanka has many attractions for foreign trade.
“Sri Lanka has been seen for decades as a supplier of raw material. It is time we take steps to be known as a manufacturing country instead. Doing so will open doors for investments and the entire economic development will accelerate.
The CHOGM is an ideal platform to showcase the investment potential of the country,” he noted.
SLBA Secretary General Upali de Silva said the country, having a booming service sector, can offer its high quality knowledge workers to further promote and uplift the nation’s status in the world.
“With our competitive pricing, we can expect a service sector boom. The knowledge our workers have proved to be second to none,” he stated.
De Silva said hosting the CHOGM will also encourage those who have left the country for better opportunities to return and be of service to their own nation. “With the number of opportunities that is going to follow the CHOGM, those who have left their motherland will be confident to come back and contribute to the development of the country,” de Silva said.
He said banks could benefit immensely from the variety of opportunities that will surface in investment, global trade etc. through the networking of like minded people within the Commonwealth nations participating at the CHOGM.
Source -: Daily news
30-10-2013
