Post conflict business possibilities are now being actively pursued, Manique Mendis, Secretary General Business for Peace Alliance (BPA), addressing the media last week.

Initiating plans for business partnership between Northern and Eastern entrepreneurs, BizPact, or the Business for Peace Action Program, was convened by the BPA under the ‘Invest in Sri Lanka’ symposium in June this year.

Telescoped business possibilities and entrepreneurial activity expected to expand to the North and East was the keynote for expansion. The joint venture business partnership at that time provoked intense enquiry that yielded positive investor response. Stemming from that perspective, two investors have now collaborated for joint ventures with local interest groups, having confirmed land purchases in Trincomalee.

Secretary General Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Harin Malwatte said Jaffna has been isolated in all aspects. "Before 1983, there were 745 Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) on-going and thriving. However post 1983, and its eventual impact resulted in vastly diminished numbers and the figure now reads 34, he pointed out.

He said positive changes are now well within context and priority considerations would include opening the A 9 highway; conclusively cementing further commercial progress in the Jaffna District.

Additionally, lifting the ban on the fishing industry and trade interaction would engender substantial North-South dialog and auger well for future interactive trade development, he noted.

He said such expansion would incite growth of the banking system and garner business opportunities for sector development. Added to these plusses would include expansion of tourism, agriculture and interactive opportunities for greater commercial involvement could be immeasurable.

BizPact could be the catalyst for such expansion, said BPA member, Rohantha Athukorale.

Increase in just 10,000 tourists annually would have a huge impact on commerce and trade. Off shoot of such significance in real terms would mean positive progress in infrastructure development and further trigger participation through district corporation. Additionally, sustainable business relationship could be built through tangible and workable agreements that would benefit both north and south businesses.

The post war investor forum in Jaffna for North – East development would attract both National and International investments, he noted.

The ‘BizPact Investor Forum – Jaffna convened by the BPA is scheduled for January 6 and 7 in Jaffna.

The two-day program will include interactive forum, series of field visits to project locations, opportunities to link with business leaders in the North and east and exchange sample products.

The Jaffna Chamber of Commerce, and The Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce both BPA members, are purportedly ensuring ground arrangements that the Jaffna convention would serve its purpose.

The BPA is an alliance of 25 Regional Chambers of commerce. It is a bottom-up organization that is owned regionally. It aims to reflect the voice of regional Business people within the wider business community, through its secretariat in Colombo. It works on projects to capacity build Regional Chambers and work for Regional empowerment and Conflict transformation.