UNESCAP Asia Pacific Biz Forum kicks off in Colombo

The three-day Asia Pacific Business Forum kicked off in Colombo yesterday, marking the beginning of the 11th session of this forum.
The Asia Pacific Business Forum is the flagship regional business forum organised by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP). With its 53 member states plus nine associate members ranging from least developed and Pacific Island countries to countries with emerging markets, the ESCAP Secretariat, ESCAP’s Business Advisory Council and the Sustainable Business Network are the driving forces behind the APBF.

International Business Council Sri Lanka President Kosala Wickramanayake and Trade and Industry Association (Singapore) President Ken Pan Yancheng sign the MOU between the two organisations yesterday. Standing from left are BOI Acting Chairman Sagara Gunawardena, Ministry of Investment Promotion Secretary M.M.C. Ferdinando, Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, ESCAP Business Advisory Council Chairperson Datuk Seri Mohomad Iqbal Rawther and PBF Chief Organiser/ESCAP Trade and Investment Division Director Dr. Ravi Ratnayake – Pix by Lasantha Kumara

The focus of this year’s ABPF is on ‘Enhancing regional business sustainability and investment,’ with the aim to give businesses and other stakeholders from South Asia a stronger voice.
The Chief Guest of the event Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, expressed his pleasure in holding this significant event here in Colombo. “Several months ago Minister Basil Rajapaksa brought this request to host the UNESCAP Asia Pacific Business Forum to my Ministry’s attention, stressing its strategic importance to Sri Lanka.
I’m therefore, very proud that my own Ministry and particularly the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, an institution under my Ministry, played such a very significant part in making this conference a reality,” he said.

“However, much of the credit of hosting this conference in Sri Lanka should go to Dr. Ravi Ratnayake, who made a strong case in that regard,” the Minister said.
“It is indeed very significant since this is the very first time that this important UNESCAP conference in held in Sri Lanka and the very first time that it is being held in a South Asian country. This conference will raise Sri Lanka’s profile and create opportunities for trade, tourism and investment. Many of the delegates who are attending this conference are from the private sector so they should use this opportunity to explore the possibilities of economic engagement in Sri Lanka. They can also use these opportunities to meet some of the representatives of the Sri Lankan private sector who are present here and explore opportunities for developing business,” abyewardena added.

He also mentioned that arrangements had been made to travel with some of the delegates to Hambantota, Sri Lanka’s new economic hub in the south, noting that the modern port, new international airport and Export Processing Zones in Hambantota were only a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s future growth.
He further emphasised that Sri Lanka was a country with rapid economic growth and had achieved nearly $ 1.4 billion in FDI and that this could be taken forward only through active and effective promotion.
“Sri Lanka has always had excellent relations with the United Nations and was indeed one of the first Asian member-states of that world body. The Government of Sri Lanka is therefore very happy and honoured that the APBF is being held in Colombo this year,” Minister said.
A special address was delivered by Datuk Seri Mohomad Iqbal Rawther, who appreciated the beauty, resources and warm hospitality of Sri Lanka.
“The word Serendib in the English language is derived from the word serendipity, meaning in many aspects it has got greatness and that is what Sri Lanka is all about. In this ceremonial opening you have seen the beautiful dancers who came in front of us. I was just whispering to Ravi a while ago that the style and manner in which they perform is an indication of the fineness of the culture in Sri Lanka, whether it is in one community or another. As a nation, if this fineness is applied and transferred to the economic spheres, then you will find that that Sri Lanka is poised for much greatness,” he said.
Dr. Ratnayake warmly welcomed all distinguished guests at this event as he highlighted the importance of this business forum and how it could impact economic development in Sri Lanka.