For the first time in Sri Lanka , a Directory identifying and listing small and medium scale producers from the regions throughout Sri Lanka is to be launched. What is more, these entrepreneurs are mostly members of Sri Lanka’s network of regional business chambers which means that they are easily accessible through this network enabling fast business connectivity.

The Regional Producers Directory is published by The Business for Peace Alliance, (BPA) Sri Lanka ’s network of Regional Business Chambers in collaboration with Vijitha Yapa Publishers.

To coincide with the launch of the Directory, a Symposium will be held to discuss "Challenges and the way forward for regional producers". The event is scheduled for Tuesday 13 May 2008 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo . This is a Corporate Social Responsibility activity to mark BPA’s sixth anniversary, a BPA media release said.

The symposium will provide a platform for regional producers from various parts of Sri Lanka to meet up with important stakeholders including national business institutions and associations, the Government, civil society organizations, the international community and the media.

The Directory profiles regional producers operating in all regions of Sri Lanka to enable strengthening of business links among regional entrepreneurs and provide new marketing platforms as well as other business opportunities, including social service opportunities for entrepreneurs. While the first section of the Directory provides contact details and other relevant data of the producers, the second section is devoted to a series of feature articles showcasing regional entrepreneurs who are members of the BPA. These articles present not only greater details of the regional producers, but also communicate the human interest angle.