Discourse on ‘ASEAN as Sri Lanka’s Next Big Opportunity’ today

Key insights from global and local experts at fora organised by 

Daily FT-Colombo Uni. MBAA with HSBC as 

strategic partner 

Ten vibrant nations with an affluent population of 630 million and a GDP of $ 2.25 trillion constitute Sri Lanka’s next big opportunity and today a Daily FT co-initiated dialogue will put this compelling case under the spotlight in Colombo.

Organised in partnership with the University of Colombo MBA Alumni Association, together with the strategic partnership of global banking giant HSBC, the topic of ‘ASEAN: Sri Lanka’s Next Big Opportunity’ will be discussed at two separate yet back-to-back fora at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo.

The discussion will kick off with a CEOs Breakfast Forum exclusively for invitees only followed by a more detailed management forum from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. inclusive of  lunch. 

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama will be the Chief Guest at the CEOs Breakfast Forum whilst Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy will do the honours at the subsequent management forum. 

With Sri Lanka pursuing an aggressive trade liberalisation and greater facilitation strategy to diversify exports to lure more Foreign Direct Investments from ASEAN, the focus on how Sri Lanka can maximize the potential is timely. For this opportunity the Government has provided a head start by signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Singapore earlier this year. 

Additionally, FTAs are being discussed or planned with Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea. ASEAN is also home to emerging economies such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. 

A host of top international executives from global banking giant HSBC will be a key attraction at both events. 

They, together with several Sri Lankan experts, will share some of the latest developments on trade and investments in ASEAN, the opportunities for Sri Lanka and its private sector as well as key lessons from Southeast Asia for Sri Lanka in terms of reforms, exports and FDIs.   

The team of HSBC executives will be led by Douglas Lippoldt - Chief Trade Economist in HSBC Global Research, HSBC London and includes Tim Evans - Head of Commercial Banking International Markets, Asia Pacific; Winfield Wong - Head of Wholesale Banking, HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd; Vivek Deshpande - Regional Head of Sales, Commercial Banking, Global Liquidity and Cash Management, Asia Pacific and Stuart E. Rogers - Head of Wholesale Banking, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Finance Ministry Advisor Deshal de Mel, Expolanka Holdings Plc Group Managing Director Hanif Yusoof and Hirdaramani Group Managing Director Ranil Pathirana will also share their insights along with Adam Collins - Research Fellow at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute’s Global Economy Program.

The events are supported by Ogilvy and Mather Worldwide Redworks as creative partner, www.Omentracom as corporate e-ticket solution partner and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as electronic media partner.  

If not already registered, to book your last-minute seat call 0117515151 or 0772075253.