1. 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

2.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

3.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

4.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

5.  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.www.BizPAct.org Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

6.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

7.  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”. Business – Peace - Action Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

8.  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”. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

9.  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. Business – Peace - Action Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

10.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

11.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

12.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

13.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

14.  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 Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

15.  Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka  International Alert  UNDP  IOM  Lanka Orix Finance Company Ltd  Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC  Lanka Fishing Flies (Pvt) Ltd Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

16.  MTV Channel  MBC (Pvt) Ltd  Wijeya Newspapers Ltd  Express Newspapers Ltd  Jaffna Press Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

17.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

18.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

19.  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. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action

20. www.BPA-SriLanka.comwww.BPA-SriLanka.com www.BizPAct.orgwww.BizPAct.org Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance Business – Peace - Action