Investment interest in the North escalating with BizPAct Investment Forum- Jaffna

Local and foreign investors are demonstrating increasing confidence and enthusiasm in investing in the North and East of Sri Lanka, taking advantage of the post war opportunities for rebuilding the nation.

This is   evidenced through the interest that is being generated through the “BizPAct Investment Forum – Jaffna”, the first major post-war investment Forum in Jaffna attracting both national and international investments. The Forum is convened by The Business for Peace Alliance (BPA), Sri Lanka’s network of regional business chambers. 

The BizPAct Investment Forum – Jaffna, provides a unique platform linking big business based in Colombo, regional SMEs, international investors, and Sri Lankan investors domiciled overseas, together with the business community in the North and East. 

The programme is scheduled to take place on 5 -8   January 2010. The venue for the Forum, is the magnificent Jaffna library, which is an icon of Jaffna  A significant aspect of the Forum is that it is designed to be a  highly interactive and participatory. 

Colombo based business representatives, Sri Lankans domiciled overseas and foreign investors will get an opportunity to confer with high level policy makers, government officials and leading members of the business community in the North and East and obtain insights  on the opportunities and challenges in investing in the North in the post war scenario. The Jaffna entrepreneurs will also display samples of their products. 

On day following the Forum, participants will get an opportunity to visit the field and obtain first hand information on the ground realities in investing in the North through  joint venture business  propositions,   partnering  with  successful members of the regional business community. Several  projects for such joint ventures endorsed by a committee of experts are also being showcased   at “BizPAct” . Visits to famous places of historical and cultural interest in Jaffna  are  included in the field visit programme. The programme in Jaffna will conclude with a grand cultural show featuring traditional music and Dance. 

On the return journey to Colombo, participants will be hosted to a networking lunch in Vavuniya. There they will get an opportunity to gain first hand information on investment opportunities in Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Moneragala and interact with SMEs from these areas. 

The Business for Peace Alliance is offering all facilties to participants, including accommodation and meals in Jaffna, internal transport in Jaffna  and transport from Colombo and back in luxury coaches. Participants can select their preference from three logistic options on offer.

The Government of Sri Lanka, Board of Investment, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of Exporters, American Chamber of Commerce, the  European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, Employer’s Federation, Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka, International Alert, UNDP and IOM    are partnering BPA in this Conference. The Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and the Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce, both members of the BPA network are making the ground arrangements in Jaffna.