The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has joined hands with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) to organise the Sri Lanka Economic Summit for the second consecutive time, a CCC spokesman said. It is to be held from June 6-8, 2007 at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

The chamber attempts to identify and address future economic and commercial trends and to develop appropriate strategic plans to meet these challenges. A nexus between the business community, civil society and the state sector is needed to fulfil national aspirations, the spokesman added.

By sharing views and past experiences, it is hoped that national priorities could be stimulated towards realising the objectives of the government’s ten-year plan. Key policymakers could also join top business leaders of the country to present Sri Lanka as a foremost destination for foreign investment.

On the first day of the summit, the macro economy and fiscal policy with be discussed in the context of trade and investment. The second day will be dedicated to reviewing the key thrust business sectors of the economy and decide the strategies to meet future challenges.

The inaugural session will be addressed by the Chairman/Managing Director of Rediffusion - Dy & R. Arun Nanda. He will speak on "Branding Sri Lanka for the global market." He will be followed by the Guest of Honour, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Sarath Amunugama.

A number of distinguished speakers would address the summit the next two days. Among them are Secretary to the Treasury Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, who will speak on "Macro economic framework of the ten-year development framework," Country Director, A. D. B. Richard Vokes on "The Asian experience," Minister of Export Development & International Trade, Prof. G. L. Peiris on "Trade and Investment Unleasing the Potential," World Bank Country Director Ms Maoko Ishil on "Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Development," Commonwealth Advisor Dr. Sampath Sirinivasan on "Fast Tracking Implementation," Minister of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Maithripala Sirisena on "Development of the Agricultural Sector and Minister for Industrial Development Kumar Welgama on "Industrial Growth and Competitiveness."

Minister of Telecommunication Rauf Hakeem will speak on "Telecom Policy in Sri Lanka", while Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda will speak on "Strategy for Development of Tourism". The Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabral, will speak on "Positioning Sri Lanka as a Financial Hub" and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board Renton de Alwis on "Destination Sri Lanka - Moving up the Value Chain".

The economic summit hopes to provide a strategic insight to foreign and local investors on investment opportunities, explore product development and market development opportunities, provide the private sector with opportunities to form new alliances and identify emerging growth sectors.

A report will be handed over to the government on specific facilitative support expected of it in order to attract private investments.

It will also highlight issues that impede development and suggest strategies and actions to overcome impediments and also propose strategies to accelerate sectoral development, the spokesman said.