Investment seminar from 28-29 Nov. to explore Sri Lanka’s impressive potential

The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Conclave (SEIC 2017), to be held in Colombo on 28 and 29 November at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo, will contain a range of in-depth analytical presentations on topics of immediate and future relevance to Sri Lanka’s economy as well as the region. 

Sri Lanka’s Vision 2025 will feature prominently. China’s One Belt One Road initiative will also be highlighted and the opportunities created will be discussed. Underlining the region-wide interest, SEIC 2017 is being organised with the endorsement of the Federation of Industry and Commerce of China, the Colombo Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the participants will hail from New York, London, Geneva, Dubai, India, Russia and China. The hosts will be Hairong Investments International, Trive International and Opportunity Sri Lanka.

The opening ceremony will be at 4.00 p.m. on 28 November and will be compered by Lindsay Ashby, former Chief of Staff of the World Energy Forum. The opening remarks and welcome address will be delivered by the host, veteran Sri Lankan diplomat and Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Palitha Kohona.

A range of exciting topics will engage the audience at SEIC 2017. The first segment of the conclave will focus on the World Economic Outlook and Implications for Sri Lanka and Economic and Opportunities in Sri Lanka. 

The key address in this segment will be delivered by Central Bank Governor Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy. The other presenters will include Xiong Meng of the Federation of Industry and Commerce of China who will explain the importance of China’s One Belt One Road initiative to the region and in particular Sri Lanka. Thilan Wijesingha and Dr. Asanga Gunawansa will explore the economic attractions and opportunities of Sri Lanka.

The keynote address will be delivered by the Minister of Megapolis Development, Champika Ranawaka, who will outline emerging investment opportunities in the proposed megapolis which is expected to make a dramatic impact on Sri Lanka, economically and socially. A cocktail will follow during which there will be video presentations by companies participating in the seminar.

The presentations on 29 October will include Sri Lanka’s investment outlook, opportunities, challenges and risk mitigation: Which sectors of Sri Lanka’s markets have delivered in 2017 and the outlook for 2018? It will also focus on the key ingredients to real value-creation. Vision 2025, the seven-year plan, will also be featured in the discussion.

The speakers will include Alex Lovell (Union Bank), Rawana Wijeratna (Sinhaputra Finance) and Dr. Harshana Uduwana (Dealogic, New York), ably guided by former Member of the Commons and the current MEP, Niranjan Devaditya. The next presentation will be on Private investments in Sri Lanka: Challenges and Opportunities, which will be moderated by Coral Plc Group CEO Rohantha Athukorala. The speakers will include Kapruka Chairman Dulith Herath, Moneyworkz and Technologies Founder/CEO Jayamin Pelpola and Stock King Capital (New York) President Roshan Perera along with a representative of the Colombo Stock Exchange.

The next presentation the will be on Sri Lanka’s hot sectors and specific investment opportunities, which will also include the Megapolis, Port City, Tourism, Hambantota, light rail, real estate etc, and Public-Private Sector Partnerships. These items will be covered by Prof. Daniel Khan (London), Mervyn Fernandopulle (Airwing Tours), Roman Scott (Calamander Group), Jason Plucinak (GWG Holdings, New York) and Pan Liong (Hairong Holdings).

A highly interesting segment to all participants will be ‘Gateway to India’ explored by the President of the SME Chamber of India Chandrakant Salunkhe, Policy Planning and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva and State Minister of Finance Eran Wickremaratne.

The Regulatory Framework Applicable to Foreign Investors will be covered by President Zhonglehui Celebrity Club Wang Ming, the UDA’s Chandana Ranasingha and Dumindra Rathnayake. The panel moderator will be KPMG Principal Partner – Tax and Regulatory Suresh Perera. This segment will also cover PPPs, state-owned enterprises, repatriation of profits, dividends, wages, etc.The final presentations will be on ‘Sustainable Investment: Challenges and Opportunities’ led by Christine Kampinga - formerly, J. P. Morgan, Netherlands, and assisted by Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar, CEO Abraj Capital, Nissanka Wijesekara and Galle Face Hotel Chairman Sanjeev Gardner.

The vote of thanks will be proposed by TRIVE International Director Attorney-at- Law Janaka Basuriya. A gala dinner will be hosted at the Galle Face Hotel.