Encourage CBF participants on investment, CBC Chief tells Basil

Friday, 11 October 2013 03:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Commonwealth Business Council Chairman Dr. Mohan Kaul has appealed to the Sri Lanka Government to open avenues for investors in view of the large number of foreign delegates who will be present at the Commonwealth Business Forum to be held in Colombo from 12-14 November in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Dr. Kaul made this request at the meeting he had with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry Office yesterday.

The CBC Chairman also discussed identifying areas in the island suitable for investment and inviting potential investors to visit them. The 1,000 participants will include 500 foreign delegates from 65 countries, making the forum the biggest-ever business gathering in Sri Lanka. Dr. Kaul and the Minister agreed that building expressways, developing the textile industry, power generation, establishing a village for handicrafts and infrastructure development are among the many areas to which the investors can be attracted. Dr. Kaul confirmed that the Canadian business community too would be participating in the CBF. Minister Rajapaksa said that participants in the forum would include representatives from countries outside the Commonwealth. These participants, representing the chambers of commerce, the private sector and governments have already registered themselves to attend the forum. Commerce and Industry Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardana was among the senior Government officials who participated in the discussion with Dr. Kaul.