Day 1 Inaugural Conference in Colombo

Day 1 Inaugural Conference in Colombo

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BizPAct “Invest in Sri Lanka” Symposium 2009

Thursday 25th June–Inaugural Conference in Colombo

Friday26thJune–Travel to the regions/project sites

Saturday27thJune–Regional program/site seeing

Sunday28thJune–Travel back to Colombo

Monday 29thJune–Wrap-up Conference in Colombo

The Symposium content will include:

  1. Call from the regions of Sri Lanka - Discussion on responsible post-war investment.
  2. Presentation of SME opportunities in regions and pre screened BizPAct projects.
  3. Discussion to ascertain business interests from Local and Foreign Investors.
  4. High level Policy Makers forum.
  5. Networking.

Thursday 25th June 2009 – Inaugural Conference at the BMICH

9.00 am Registration

9.25 am National Anthem & Lighting of Traditional Oil Lamp

9.40 amWelcome address by Mr.Suresh deMel, Chairman, BPA

9.50 am Keynote address by Hon. Minister of Public Administration and Internal Affairs, and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Sarath Amunugama MP

10.20 amTea Break

10.40 am Introduction to BizPAct – Audio Visual Presentation

10.45 am Presentation by regional entrepreneurs on SME investment opportunities

Moderator, Mr Patrick Amarasinghe, Chairman, Young Entrepreneurs, Sri Lanka

12.00 am Panel discussion to ascertain business interests from Investors

Chaired by Mr Rohan Fernando, Chairman, National Chamber of Exporters

Panelists: Mr Chullante Jayasuriya, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce

Ms Niranjala de Mel, National Counsellor, European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka

Mr Jeremy Liyanage, Australia, Mr Jay Perera,, UK, Dr Alex Wijesinghe, USA,

Ms Susan Joachim, Germany, Ms Samantha Rasquinho, UAE

1.30 pm Lunch Break

2.30 pm Three Parallel round table discussion on thematic topics:

  1. Investment opportunities in the North East

Chaired by Mr. Nimal Cooke, Group Director, Maharaja Organization,

Panelists: , Mr. K. Poornachandran, Chairman, Chamber of Small & Micro Industries, Jaffna, Mr. Rajram Mohan, Chairman, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Trincomalee District, & Mr. Daya Gamage, Chairman, Ampara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

  1. Investment opportunities in Mannar, Monaragala and other lagging regions

Chaired by Mr. Rohantha Athukorala, Director, Economic Affairs, SCOPP,

Panelists , Mr. Ariyaseela Wickramanayake, Chairman, Palwatta Sugar Industries, Mr. Anushka Wijesinha, Assistant Director, Economic Affairs, SCOPP

  1. Investment opportunities in the South

Chaired by Mr. Deva Rodrigo, Past Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce,

Panelists: Mr. D.K. Rajapakse, Chairman, D.Samson Industries (DSI). Mr. Azmi Thassim, Director General, Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Nimal Gunathilleke, Executive Governor, Marga Institute.

4.00 pmTea break

4.15 pmExplore the Regions – One to one meetings with regional delegates

5.30 pm Pre-evaluation

6. 00 – 8.00 pm Networking & Cocktails

Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June 2009 – Proposed Field Visits

  1. Travel to Various Clusters with proposals selected for BizPAct
  1. North-Central
  2. Central & Sabaragamuwa
  3. Southern
  4. Eastern
  5. Other – by special arrangement prior to event
  1. Program in the Regions
  1. Discussion with Regional Chambers on investment opportunities in the region
  2. Visits to up and coming ventures and sites of selected BizPAct proposals
  3. Visits to successful industries
  4. Visits to other places of interest
  1. Return to Colombo

Notes:

  • Transport will be provided in an air-conditioned van.
  • Full-board accommodation will be arranged in a good quality hotel with an Air-conditioned room on a non-sharing basis.
  • Those visiting regions other than the 4 clusters listed above, may have to bear the cost of transport and/or accommodation.
  • Cost of entrance tickets to places of interest are to be borne by the participant.
  • Please register early to avoid disappointment.

Monday 29th June 2009 – Proposed Wrap-up Conference at The Galadari Hotel

3.30 pm Registration & Tea

4.10 pm National Anthem

4.15 pmFeedback from Field Visits (Key Questions will be given to participants prior to Field Visits)

5.30 pm Policymaker Forum (Peace, Security, Land, Labor, Investment, Tourism…)

  • Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, MP, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion
  • Hon. Kumara Welgama, MP, Minister of Industrial Development
  • Hon. Mano Wijeyeratna, MP, Minister of Enterprise Development
  • Hon. Faizer Musthapa, MP, Deputy Minister of Tourism
  • Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary General, Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process & Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management & Human Rights
  • Mr. Dammika Perera, Chairman, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
  • Mr. Ravi Peiris, Director General/CEO, The Employers Federation of Ceylon

Moderator: Ms. Manique Mendis, Secretary General, CEO, BPA

7.15 pm Conclusion

7.20 pm Evaluation of Symposium

7.30 pm Networking & Cocktails

8.30 pmDinner accompanied by a Cultural Show

Business for Peace Alliance 7/9, Harmer’s Avenue, Colombo 6, Sri LankaP: 011.236.3051/2

E: W: : 011.236.2053