Friday Sep 18, 2026
Friday Sep 18, 2026
Friday, 18 September 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Suren Chandraratna and Manjula Wijesundera at G20YEA in Vienna Austria
The Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) strengthened its international business engagement with the participation of Chairman Suren Chandraratne and Immediate Past Chairman Manjula Wijesundera at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20YEA) 2026 this week in Vienna, Austria.
Bringing together more than 600 young entrepreneurs from G20 countries, the event provided a platform for international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and business networking across sectors including digital technology, renewable energy, education, agriculture, global trade, textiles, manufacturing, social entrepreneurship, tourism, and inclusivity and diversity.
The participation of COYLE’s leadership underscores the Chamber’s commitment to expanding global business relationships, encouraging cross-border collaboration, and creating opportunities for Sri Lankan enterprises to connect with international markets.
Addressing the gathering, Suren Chandraratne said that Sri Lanka, together with COYLE, is ready to welcome international companies and invite them to explore business opportunities in the country. He emphasised Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships, facilitating investment, and creating an environment conducive to international business collaboration. His remarks highlighted the importance of connecting Sri Lankan enterprises with the wider global business community and encouraging international companies to consider Sri Lanka as a destination for business engagement.
The G20YEA 2026 program brought together policymakers, Members of Parliament, and distinguished stakeholders from the global business and public sectors to discuss the policy, technological, and institutional frameworks shaping the future of entrepreneurship.
Among the key sessions was “Transnational Technological Innovation Ecosystems: Bridges of Innovation, Scaling Across Borders,” organised by the German Marshall Fund (GMF). The panel examined how interconnected innovation ecosystems can support startups seeking to expand internationally, with discussions covering intellectual property standards, research and development incentives, and Web3.0 infrastructure.
Another key session, “Regulatory Harmony and Global Trade Certainty: The Policy Mandate, Standardising the Future of Digital Trade,” explored the importance of stable regulatory frameworks for the digital economy. Discussions addressed international taxation, data privacy, and the reduction of trade barriers to support greater certainty in cross-border commerce.
The program further included a tour of the Vienna Messe innovation zones, followed by country-to-country B2B sessions. These bilateral engagements provided opportunities for delegates to explore trade cooperation, business partnerships, and avenues for international collaboration.
COYLE’s engagement at G20YEA 2026 reflects its continued efforts to connect Sri Lankan entrepreneurs with international networks, emerging markets, and global business opportunities. Through its international engagements, COYLE continues to promote entrepreneurship, strengthen business relationships, and support opportunities that contribute to Sri Lanka’s growing participation in the global economy.
