2-day seminar in Colombo to showcase Czech Republic transformation lessons to SL

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi, in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Sri Lanka, will hold a two-day expert seminar on economic transformation and supporting sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka from 5 to 6 October at the Finance Ministry Auditorium.

The seminar will draw insights from the Czech Republic’s successful experience in the 1990s.

Miroslav Zamecnik, a distinguished expert in economic and monetary policy and public finance management with extensive experience from both public and private sector will lead the seminar.

This specialised seminar is the result of a productive discussion between Czech Republic Non-resident Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eliska Zigova based in New Delhi, India and President Ranil Wickramasinghe, along with Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor Sagala Ratnayake in February 2023.

The dedicated efforts of the Czech Republic in Sri Lanka Consul General Dr. Lohitha Samarawikrema, Embassy’s Third Secretary Adam Podhola and the team, have brought this event to fruition with the tremendous support of the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka.

Participating in this seminar will be representatives from the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka and government stakeholders directly and indirectly involved in the economic growth of Sri Lanka.

The primary objective of this seminar is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and insights into the transformation and adjustments in economic and monetary policies implemented by the Czech Republic in the 1990s. These policies paved the way for sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness in the Czech Republic.

As a member of the National Economic Council of the Government of the Czech Republic for three cabinets, Zamecnik worked on fiscal policy and fiscal adjustment, anti-crisis (pro growth) measures. He has been a consultant in financial restructuring, reorganisation of insolvent companies, corporate mergers and acquisitions since 2001. In the 90s, Zamecnik held positions such as a Head of the Centre for Economic Analysis in the office of President Vaclav Havel, a negotiator for the Central European Free Trade Zone, and a representative of the Czech Republic in the World Bank.

For more information contact: The Honorary Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Sri Lanka [email protected]; [email protected] or 0777686259