Presentation by Chumley Gunaseela BizPAct Project Chairman Director, Business for Peace Alliance...

Presentation by

Chumley Gunaseela

BizPAct Project Chairman

Director, Business for Peace Alliance

Past President, Sabaragamuwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

BPA is made up of 25 Chambers of Commerce from every Province in Sri Lanka and brings together over 15,000 Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SME’s) islandwide.

As members of the regional business community, we are united in our efforts to contribute to a “bottom-up” approach to regional development.

We promote unity amongst the diverse groups in our country so that trade and industry can flourish.

What is the Business for Peace Alliance (BPA)?


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Knowledge of the practical aspects of doing business in our regions.

Aware of the needs and aspirations of our communities.

Aware of the opportunities and the resources available in our regions.

Make optimum out of the business development opportunities in the regions.

Why partner with the Regional Business Community?


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BizPAct (Business-Peace-Action) is a long term program of the Business for Peace Alliance (BPA).

Purpose of BizPAct is to encourage regional socio-economic development that is both context sensitive and also takes account of Corporate Social Responsibility considerations.

BizPAct has run as a pilot project for one year.

What is BizPAct?


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The project has developed processes to encourage regional entrepreneurs to write business concept papers and to provide an initial evaluation of these concepts.

The BizPAct website (www.BizPAct.org) is being developed as a clearing house for investment opportunities and investors requests for proposals.

What is BizPAct?


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http://www.bizpact.org/

Introducing the concept of investing in the regions through joint ventures with SME’s for equitable and sustainable socio-economic development throughout Sri Lanka.

Understanding expectations and capacities of regional SME’s.

Understanding expectations of the diaspora and other investors.

Results of the last BizPAct Symposium!


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Many local and foreign investors have forged relationships with the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Regional SME’s.

Two participants from UK signed deals with partners within a week of the June Symposium.

A participant from the Sri Lankan diaspora in the USA has partnered BPA by providing a grant to expand our project on “Networking Business for Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation”.

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Results of the last BizPAct Symposium!


Bridges to be built between the expectations of the large scale investors, including the diaspora and the capacity of regional entrepreneurs.

Regional business needs greater exposure of global trends.

Need to develop greater levels of professionalism.

Need a “hand up” as opposed to “hand out”.

Challenges and Opportunities!


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Collaborative joint venture partnerships result in mutual benefits for the regional entrepreneurs and the investors.

Investors will get first hand insights into the ground realities and gain a “buy in” of the local communities.

Practical support to face regional challenges successfully.

Through such partnerships, regional entrepreneurs will enhance their skills and develop greater levels of professionalism.

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Challenges and Opportunities!


Jaffna was chosen as the venue for the “BizPAct Investment Forum” due to the great interest that has emerged in investing in the North and East.

The programme focus is on responsible socio-economic development opportunities for small and medium enterprises.

The Jaffna Forum!


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The Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and the Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industry have made tireless efforts in organising the ground arrangements for this event.

Due to their enthusiasm and support this event is a reality.

These Chambers have also gathered local stakeholders and members of the local business community to bring “bottom-up” information and discussion to this Forum.

The Role of the Local Chambers!


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Representatives of the business community in Jaffna, members of the Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce.

Investors (local and foreign) who want to explore the opportunities that are opening up in the regions of Sri Lanka.

Members of the Sri Lankan Diaspora who wish to invest in their home country.

Investment advisers who need to assess the opportunities in SME development in the regions.

Who is attending?


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Government officials involved in promoting investment in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Members of the regional business community in Sri Lanka.

Representatives from Colombo based Chambers.

Members of civil society organisations that are involved in supporting the socio-economic development in Sri Lanka.

Who is attending?


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Board of Investment of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

Employers Federation of Ceylon

National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka

American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka

European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka

Thank you to our Partners & Sponsors of this event!


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Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka

International Alert

UNDP

IOM

Lanka Orix Finance Company Ltd

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Lanka Fishing Flies (Pvt) Ltd



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MTV Channel

MBC (Pvt) Ltd

Wijeya Newspapers Ltd

Express Newspapers Ltd

Jaffna Press



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Enterprise Steering Committee: High level representatives of the private, public and international sectors.

BPA Secretariat: Small team of very dedicated staff have put in colossal effort to organize this event.

The BPA’s Enterprise Steering Committee

& the BPA Secretariat!


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Responsible and meaningful partnerships between all BizPAct participants - members of the Jaffna community and participants from all parts of Sri Lanka and abroad.

Milestone in a long term relationship.

Our Expectation from this event:New partnerships for Peace and

Prosperity!


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Pledge to be context sensitive and responsible.

Pledge to join hands with the BPA and our Regional Chambers, to work together to bring sustainable peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka.

Our Expectation from this event:New partnerships for Peace and

Prosperity!


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Thank you!

www.BPA-SriLanka.com www.BizPAct.org


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http://www.bpa-srilanka.com/

http://www.bizpact.org/

Presentation by Chumley Gunaseela BizPAct Project Chairman Director, Business for Peace Alliance...

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