The Sri Lanka-Australia-New Zealand Business Council (SLANZBC) AGM recently saw the installation of the new President Sarath Silva, who is also the newly appointed Consul for New Zealand. He told the Business Times on the sidelines of the AGM that he has a new plan of action.
“Genuine businessman needs the exposure and we should be the catalyst for this. One of the first things I had planned and had success with is the signing of the memorandum between the University of Canterbury and Gateway who will be offering several scholarships to students here. They will also be marketing their educational programs here in Sri Lanka,” he said.
He added that there is another New Zealand company which is interested in putting up boutique hotels here. “We are also publishing the success of the Australian companies here as an attraction to others who are waiting to invest here. This should send the message that we are now a fertile ground for any company willing to invest here,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Kathy Klugman, High Commissioner for Australia, said that “the Australian economy recovered relatively quickly from the slowdown from the global financial crisis and it is into its 20th year of uninterrupted growth. The three months ended June revealed growth of 1.2 % which is the highest we have had in three years. Business investments are at a very high level. The Reserve Bank of Australia which is our Central Bank of Australia expects this type economic growth for the next couple of years.”
The SLANZBC is planning further expansion of its scope both here in Sri Lanka and overseas with a view to attract more investment in other sectors such as tourism. |
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