Day 1 Inaugural Conference in Colombo

Day 1 Inaugural Conference in Colombo

Thursday25thJune–Inaugural Conference in Colombo

Friday26thJune–Travel to the region of your choice(one of the four below):

i) East: Trinco

ii) Wayamba: Kurunegala, North Central: Anuradhapura

iii) Sabaragamuwa: Ratnapura, Kegalle, Central: Kandy

iv) South: Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota

Saturday27thJune–Regional program/project visits

Sunday28thJune–Travel back to Colombo

Monday29thJune–Wrap-up Conference in Colombo

The Conference content will include:

  1. Call from the regions of Sri Lanka - Discussion on responsible trade and investmentfor empowerment and peace.
  2. Presentation of SME opportunities in regions and pre-screened BizPAct projects.
  3. Discussion to ascertain business interests from local and foreign investors.
  4. Developing a “code of conduct” for investors and entrepreneurs.
  5. High level policy makerforum.
  6. Networking with Sri Lankan Diaspora (30 confirmed participants) and other investors - local & foreign.
  7. Networking with regional business leaders (40 confirmed participants) representing every Province of Sri Lanka.

Thursday 25th June 2009 – Inaugural Conference at the BMICH

9.00 am Registration

9.25 amNational Anthem

9.30 amLighting of Traditional Oil Lamp

9.40 amWelcome address by Mr.Suresh deMel, Chairman, BPA, Director, Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce, Director, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka

9.50am Keynote address by the Hon. Minister of Public Administration and Internal Affairs, and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, MP

10.10amTea Break

10.30am Introduction to BizPAct – Audio Visual Presentation

10.45am Presentation of BizPAct Projects & SME Investment Opportunities and Challenges by Regional Entrepreneurs:

Moderator, Mr Patrick Amarasinghe, Chairman, Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka, Past President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, Founder President of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.

11.45 pm Panel discussion to ascertain business interests from Investors:

Chaired by Ms Rezana Aziz, Past Chairperson, Womens’ Chamber of Commerce

Panelists: Mr Chullante Jayasuriya, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce, Ms Niranjala de Mel, National Counsellor, European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, Mr Jeremy Liyanage, Australia, Mr Jayayampathi Perera, UK, Dr Alex Wijesinghe, USA, Ms Susan Joachim, Germany, Ms Samantha Rasquinho, UAE

12.45 pm Lunch Break

1.45 pmAddress by the Hon. Minister of Investment Promotion, Navin Dissanayake, MP

2.00pm Q & A

2.30 pm Three Parallel round table discussion on thematic topics:

1. Investment opportunities in the North East:

Chaired by, Mr. Rohantha Athukorala, Director, Economic Affairs, SCOPP,

Panelists: Mr. K. Poornachandran, Chairman, Chamber of Small & Micro Industries, Jaffna, Mr. Rajram Mohan, Chairman, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Trincomalee District, Mr. Daya Gamage, Chairman, Ampara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

2. Investment opportunities in Mannar, Monaragala and other lagging regions:

Chaired by Mr. Nimal Cooke, Group Director, Maharaja Organization

Panelists: Mr. Ariyaseela Wickramanayake, Chairman, Palwatta Sugar Industries, Mr. Anushka Wijesinha, Assistant Director, Economic Affairs, SCOPP

3. Investment opportunities in the South:

Chaired by Mr. Deva Rodrigo, Past Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce,

Panelists: Mr. D.K. Rajapakse, Chairman, D.Samson Industries (DSI),Mr. Azmi Thassim, Director General, Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce& President, Ruhunu Economic Development Agency (RUEDA), Dr. Nimal Gunathilleke, Executive Governor, Marga Institute.

4.00pmTea break

4.15pmMarket Place to explore the regions: One to one meetings with regional representatives

5.30pm Pre-evaluation

6. 00 – 8.00pm Networking & Cocktails

Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June 2009 – Field Visits

  1. Travel to Cluster of choice with selected BizPAct project proposals
  1. East: Trinco
  2. Wayamba: Kurunegala, North Central: Anuradhapura
  3. Sabaragamuwa: Ratnapura, Kegalle, Central: Kandy
  4. South: Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota
  1. Program in the Regions
  1. Discussionswith Regional Chambers on investment opportunities and challenges in the regions.
  2. Visits to the sites of selected BizPAct project proposals.
  3. Meet promising Small & Medium Entrepreneurs.
  4. Visits to successful Small & Medium Enterprises in the area.
  5. Visits to other places of interest.

Notes:

  • Transport will be provided in anair-conditioned coach.
  • Full-board accommodation will be arranged in a good quality hotelwith an Air-conditioned room on a non-sharing basis.
  • Those visiting regions other than the 4 clusters listed above, may have to bear the cost of transport and/or accommodation.
  • Cost of entrance tickets to places of interest are to be borne by the participant.
  • Please register early to avoid disappointment.
  1. Return to Colombo

Monday 29th June 2009 – Wrap-up Conference at The Galadari Hotel

3.30 pm Registration & Tea

4.10pmNational Anthem

4.15 pmFeedback from Field Visits(Key Questions will be givento participants prior to Field Visits)

5.30 pm Policymaker Forum/QA :

  • Hon. Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, MP.
  • Hon. Minister of Industrial Development, Kumara Welgama, MP.
  • Hon. Minister of Enterprise Development, Mano Wijeyeratna, MP.
  • Hon. Minister of Tourism, Milinda Moragoda, MP.
  • Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Palitha Kohona,.
  • Secretary General, Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process and Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management & Human Rights,

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha.

  • Chairman, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Mr. Dammika Perera.
  • President, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka,

Mr. Rohan Fernando.

  • Director General/CEO, The Employers Federation of Ceylon,

Mr. Ravi Peiris.

Moderator: Ms. Manique Mendis, Secretary General/CEO, BPA

7.15 pm Conclusion

7.20 pm Evaluation of Symposium

7.30 pm Networking & Cocktails

8.30 pmDinner accompanied by a Cultural Showcourtesy of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Business for Peace Alliance 7/9, Harmer’s Avenue, Colombo 6, Sri LankaP: 011.236.3051/2

E: W: : 011.236.2053

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