SLBC UAE marks 35 years with landmark Investment Forum

•  Key event draws 225 UAE business leaders and investors

The Sri Lanka Business Council UAE (SLBC UAE), one of the oldest and most active overseas Sri Lankan business organisations, celebrated its 35th anniversary in fitting fashion by hosting one of the most significant investment-focused business forums in its history.

Held at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina on 11 June, the forum, themed “UAE and Sri Lanka – Strengthening Relationships • Enabling Opportunities”, attracted an impressive 225 participants, substantially exceeding the organisers’ original expectations. The audience brought together investors, entrepreneurs, CEOs, CFOs, bankers, investment bankers, policymakers and business leaders from across the United Arab Emirates — notable for both its scale and the calibre and diversity of those present.

Senior members from Dubai Chambers, the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the International Chamber of Commerce UAE Chapter attended alongside Chairpersons and senior representatives from more than fifteen business councils and business groups operating within the UAE. Diplomats, institutional leaders and corporate executives representing a broad spectrum of industries and nationalities were also present, with a significant majority comprising non-Sri Lankan decision-makers.

The evening commenced with a colourful display of Sri Lankan culture as traditional dancers welcomed the Chief Guest and dignitaries into the ballroom, accompanied by the Sri Lanka Business Council UAE Chairman Suren Swaminathan. The program was compered by Director Board Secretary Lakna Godahena Amarasiri and commenced with the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.

In his welcome address, Swaminathan described the gathering as an extraordinary concentration of experience, expertise, capital and influence.

“The Sri Lanka Business Council exists to be a bridge,” he told the audience. “A bridge between investors and opportunities. A bridge between businesses and governments. A bridge between ideas and execution.”

He emphasised that the Council’s role was not merely to organise events but to create platforms that facilitate meaningful engagement between investors and opportunity providers.

Reflecting on more than four decades of living and working in the UAE, Swaminathan paid tribute to the country’s visionary leadership and remarkable economic transformation. He noted that the UAE had become a global benchmark for trade, logistics, finance and innovation while successfully bringing together more than 200 nationalities in an environment built on opportunity, merit and mutual respect.

He further stressed that Sri Lanka and the UAE should be viewed as complementary economies rather than competing destinations.

“We should not ask investors to choose between the UAE and Sri Lanka. We should encourage them to leverage the strengths of both. The UAE has established itself as one of the world’s leading centres for trade, finance, logistics and global business, while Sri Lanka has the potential to serve as an effective gateway to South Asia and the wider region.”

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates, Professor Arusha Cooray, highlighted the growing strength of bilateral relations between the two countries and referred to the increasing number of agreements, official engagements and high-level exchanges taking place between Sri Lanka and the UAE. She noted that the UAE remains Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and encouraged investors to explore opportunities across a wide range of sectors including tourism, hospitality, gems and jewellery, information technology, logistics, manufacturing and renewable energy.

The keynote address was delivered by the Presidential Special Envoy for Foreign Investment and Trade Promotion and Governor of the Western Province Hanif Yusoof. Setting aside his prepared remarks, Governor Yusoof spoke candidly about his family migrating to Sri Lanka as refugees and passionately about his own journey from humble beginnings to building a globally successful business enterprise. Reflecting on the opportunities Sri Lanka had provided him, he stated that he regarded it as both a responsibility and a privilege to give back to the country that had contributed so much to his success. He invited investors to explore opportunities across Sri Lanka and assured prospective investors of his personal commitment to supporting genuine investment initiatives.

A key feature of the evening was a presentation by Colombo Port City, incorporated into the programme at the request of Governor Yusoof as part of the broader objective of promoting investment into Sri Lanka. The presentation was delivered by Colombo Port City Managing Director Revan Wickramasuriya, who outlined the project’s vision, regulatory framework and investment opportunities available to international investors. He was joined by Thulci Aluvihare representing the Port City team, while Aritha Wickramasinghe, Chief of Staff to Governor Hanif Yusoof, played an important role in coordinating the Governor’s participation and supporting the successful execution of the programme.

The presentation generated considerable interest among attendees and was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session moderated by SLBC UAE Vice Chairman Shihan Sheriff.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Sri Lanka Bankers Association UAE President Isthiaq Raziq, whose organisation collaborated closely with the Sri Lanka Business Council UAE to make the event a success.

The evening concluded with a vibrant cultural performance and a networking dinner featuring a carefully curated selection of Sri Lankan and international cuisine, providing participants with further opportunities to engage and explore potential partnerships.

Speaking after the event, Swaminathan expressed appreciation to Governor Hanif Yusoof, Ambassador Professor Arusha Cooray, Consul General Alexi Gunasekara, representatives of Dubai Chambers, the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce, the International Chamber of Commerce UAE Chapter, Colombo Port City officials, the Sri Lanka Bankers Association UAE, the Council’s Board of Directors, organising committee, volunteers and members.

He also acknowledged the event’s principal sponsors — Siraj Finance, Sunil Fernando Associates, Continental Insurance and Contisure — whose support contributed significantly to the success of the forum. Special recognition was given to Eminent Senior Advisor, founding member, former Chairman and pioneer of the organisation, Farook Kassim, whose original suggestion led to the creation of the event.

As the Sri Lanka Business Council UAE celebrates its 35th anniversary, the success of the forum reinforced its reputation as one of the UAE’s most respected business councils and demonstrated its continued ability to bring together investors, policymakers and business leaders to strengthen economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka — and that the appetite for engaging with Sri Lanka remains strong when the right people are brought together in the right environment.