Colombo YPO Sept. Forum on FTAs: What’s in it for us?

Friday, 7 September 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

With the subject of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) being an important point of discussion among the business community as well as the academic community related to business and economic studies, the Colombo Chapter of the Young Professionals Organisation (YPO) will be organising their next forum on this very topic on 7 September at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute at 5.30 p.m.

The occasion will be graced by an eminent panel which is directly involved in formulating these FTAs as well as having extensive experience in how these FTAs operate. It will comprise Ministry of Finance Adviser Deshal De Mel, Former Research Director of the Asian Development Bank Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja and Managing Director of the Agency for Development of the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade Mangala Yapa. The event will be moderated by YPO Chairman Harshana Rajakaruna, Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District.

With the world moving towards greater trade liberalisation and with protectionism looked down upon, entering into mutually beneficial FTAs is a critical strategy in a country’s effort to achieve economic growth and sustainability. This is no different for a country like Sri Lanka. This program will help participants dispel any myths or wrong information that is circulating in the public domain at the moment. Ideally suited for executives and managers in the corporate sector, this session will also provide some key insights into opportunities that will arise for young professionals as a result of entering into these bilateral trade partnerships.

YPO represents the interest of young professionals and takes a proactive approach in providing a platform for acquiring knowledge in government policy with regard to economic development as well as a forum to exchange ideas with experts and policymakers in various fields.