The objective of BizPAct (Business-Peace-Action) is to establish a platform to attract investment to
sustain and grow regional enterprises throughout Sri Lanka – to give our regional entrepreneurs a hand-
up – to build our economy from the bottom-up. This is a long term project that started nearly two years
ago, guided by BPA’s eminent Enterprise Steering Committee of experts. Over 50 SME projects from all
regions of Sri Lanka have already been evaluated and screened. More projects will continue to be
evaluated and presented to investors.
The objectives of the Symposium were:
• to launch BizPAct,
• to explore opportunities for investment in joint venture partnerships,
• to afford an opportunity for regional SME’s to present their proposals and showcase products,
• to recognize the needs and expectations of the regions,
• to recognize the context of the regions,
• to recognize the needs and expectations of investors – local, foreign, and our diaspora,
• to attract partners to support BPA financially in this endeavor.
The Keynote address delivered at the inaugural conference, by the Hon. Minister of Public
Administration and Internal Affairs, and Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, described
the new era of opportunity that has dawned in Sri Lanka and emphasized the need for private sector led
economic growth. The Hon. Minister commended the BPA for the timely initiative and approach taken.
The highlight of the inaugural event was the presentation of the 20 regional projects that were selected
as examples of SME investment opportunities from various regions of Sri Lanka. The 20 regional
entrepreneurs with the selected proposals were able to personally present their projects and products
to the participants. One to one meetings between entrepreneurs and potential investors were also
arranged.
Over a period of three days following the inaugural conference, 50 participants, including 25 diaspora,
visited the regions and saw some of these projects first-hand. The participants divided in two groups
with a group of 35 visiting Trincomalee District and a group of 15 visiting Hambantota, Matara, and Galle
Districts.
The context in which each of the projects operated was realized – the strengths, weaknesses,
challenges and opportunities were discussed. Meetings at each of the District Chambers of Commerce
allowed the participants to meet a wider group of local entrepreneurs and discuss opportunities and
challenges in each District.
Upon returning from the regions, a wrap-up conference was held to discuss the outcome of the regional
visits. A diaspora panel representing Australia, Germany, UAE, UK and USA, and a high level policymaker
panel, representing the Foreign Ministry, the Peace Secretariat, the Ministry of Disaster Management
and Human Rights, the BOI, the National Chamber of Exporters, Employers Federation and the
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism, led the discussion.
The diaspora highlighted the need for developing the following priority skills of the SME’s:
• Communication/presentation/social skills
• Business/financial planning and management skills
• English and IT skills
• Product development
• Marketing
Regional Chambers of Commerce were seen as a strong mechanism through which to deliver the skills
development needs of the SME’s. The bottom-up role that can be played by these Chambers in
responsible dialog with policy makers and to bridge the gap between the center and the periphery was
seen as necessity. Capacity building of these regional chambers was identified as an important priority.
The BPA’s role as the focal point for the regional chambers and the facilitator of BizPAct was endorsed
by all.
Looking forward, the BPA is developing the BizPAct Blog Website “ www.bizpact.org ” as a platform for
INFORMATION, INTERACTION, INVESTMENT and INQUIRY – focusing on joint ventures with regional SME’
s. A database of project proposals will be maintained online where investors can identify opportunities
that interest them. The website will also maintain a database of investors and their interests for pairing
up with local partners. The site will act as a clearing house of information concerning investment
opportunities and investor interests. The website will be updated regularly with information on the
progress of BizPAct. User expectations are to be captured, so that a useful, user friendly and dynamic
Blog Website can be maintained.
The BPA is also in the process of designing a mechanism to provide expert services to the entrepreneurs
and investors that include:
• Development of Business Plans
• Providing Business and Financial Management and Advisory Services
• Providing Business Incubation Services
• Providing Secretarial and Legal Services
• Providing Government Coordination and Linkages
• Providing Monitoring and Evaluation Services
The BPA together with professionals in the field are also developing a set of Guiding Principles for
Context Sensitive Investment in the regions by exploring fundamental questions such as:
• What is the value that an investment should produce for society?
• How should this value be measured?
• How are the social, cultural, and environmental impacts measured?
• How does one ensure community buy-in and ownership?
• How does one ensure unity among stake holders and prevent conflicts?
• What are the alternatives to philanthropy that go beyond giving to creating social value?
• What are the capabilities, processes, and structures required to create such value?
• What is the function of good governance within these?
A set of standards for business engagement are also being developed including:
• A standard for engagement of local business enterprise.
• A standard for local employment.
• A standard for human resource development.
• A standard for employment of local resources linked with local business.
• A standard for sustainable development practices.
• A standard for engagement with local community and local government administration.
BPA’s sincere appreciation goes to our diaspora who came all the way from Australia, Germany, UAE, UK,
and the USA and participated proactively at this event. We are also grateful to the local and foreign
invitees and participants for their support and encouragement. The invaluable guidance by our eminent
enterprise steering committee and partners, and the outstanding media coverage from our media
sponsors, was unprecedented. Our main sponsors who supported us financially and provided human
resources contributed immensely to the success of this project. Last but not least, we are grateful for
the untiring effort and commitment of our Secretariat, and the cooperation and voluntary contribution
made by members of the regional chambers.
Consolidating many years of experience and forging ahead, the BPA which currently represents 25
Regional Chambers of Commerce representing approximately 15,000 businesses-mostly SME’s from every
Province, has its Secretariat in Colombo as a focal point for its activities. The Secretariat which has a
group of dedicated professionals to implement the BPA mandate of regional empowerment and conflict
transformation has developed a transparent and good governance structure. We have a responsible
Finance and Audit Committee with eminent external advisors, an Operations Committee comprising
senior regional chamber directors, and a committed Board of Directors representing Chambers of
Commerce from each Province to guide and empower the Secretariat.
The BPA urgently invites private-sector partners and sponsors to support us both financially and
intellectually so that we can move forward vigorously with the momentum that has been created by the
first BizPAct Invest in Sri Lanka Symposium. This will enable us to fast-track the development of
sustainable regional economies from the “bottom-up” in order to ensure durable peace and stability
throughout Sri Lanka.
I believe that the BizPAct Invest in Sri Lanka Symposium 2009 concluded successfully, and the stage was
set for a new beginning of trust and goodwill through partnerships and networks throughout the country
and across the globe.
sustain and grow regional enterprises throughout Sri Lanka – to give our regional entrepreneurs a hand-
up – to build our economy from the bottom-up. This is a long term project that started nearly two years
ago, guided by BPA’s eminent Enterprise Steering Committee of experts. Over 50 SME projects from all
regions of Sri Lanka have already been evaluated and screened. More projects will continue to be
evaluated and presented to investors.
The objectives of the Symposium were:
• to launch BizPAct,
• to explore opportunities for investment in joint venture partnerships,
• to afford an opportunity for regional SME’s to present their proposals and showcase products,
• to recognize the needs and expectations of the regions,
• to recognize the context of the regions,
• to recognize the needs and expectations of investors – local, foreign, and our diaspora,
• to attract partners to support BPA financially in this endeavor.
The Keynote address delivered at the inaugural conference, by the Hon. Minister of Public
Administration and Internal Affairs, and Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, described
the new era of opportunity that has dawned in Sri Lanka and emphasized the need for private sector led
economic growth. The Hon. Minister commended the BPA for the timely initiative and approach taken.
The highlight of the inaugural event was the presentation of the 20 regional projects that were selected
as examples of SME investment opportunities from various regions of Sri Lanka. The 20 regional
entrepreneurs with the selected proposals were able to personally present their projects and products
to the participants. One to one meetings between entrepreneurs and potential investors were also
arranged.
Over a period of three days following the inaugural conference, 50 participants, including 25 diaspora,
visited the regions and saw some of these projects first-hand. The participants divided in two groups
with a group of 35 visiting Trincomalee District and a group of 15 visiting Hambantota, Matara, and Galle
Districts.
The context in which each of the projects operated was realized – the strengths, weaknesses,
challenges and opportunities were discussed. Meetings at each of the District Chambers of Commerce
allowed the participants to meet a wider group of local entrepreneurs and discuss opportunities and
challenges in each District.
Upon returning from the regions, a wrap-up conference was held to discuss the outcome of the regional
visits. A diaspora panel representing Australia, Germany, UAE, UK and USA, and a high level policymaker
panel, representing the Foreign Ministry, the Peace Secretariat, the Ministry of Disaster Management
and Human Rights, the BOI, the National Chamber of Exporters, Employers Federation and the
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism, led the discussion.
The diaspora highlighted the need for developing the following priority skills of the SME’s:
• Communication/presentation/social skills
• Business/financial planning and management skills
• English and IT skills
• Product development
• Marketing
Regional Chambers of Commerce were seen as a strong mechanism through which to deliver the skills
development needs of the SME’s. The bottom-up role that can be played by these Chambers in
responsible dialog with policy makers and to bridge the gap between the center and the periphery was
seen as necessity. Capacity building of these regional chambers was identified as an important priority.
The BPA’s role as the focal point for the regional chambers and the facilitator of BizPAct was endorsed
by all.
Looking forward, the BPA is developing the BizPAct Blog Website “ www.bizpact.org ” as a platform for
INFORMATION, INTERACTION, INVESTMENT and INQUIRY – focusing on joint ventures with regional SME’
s. A database of project proposals will be maintained online where investors can identify opportunities
that interest them. The website will also maintain a database of investors and their interests for pairing
up with local partners. The site will act as a clearing house of information concerning investment
opportunities and investor interests. The website will be updated regularly with information on the
progress of BizPAct. User expectations are to be captured, so that a useful, user friendly and dynamic
Blog Website can be maintained.
The BPA is also in the process of designing a mechanism to provide expert services to the entrepreneurs
and investors that include:
• Development of Business Plans
• Providing Business and Financial Management and Advisory Services
• Providing Business Incubation Services
• Providing Secretarial and Legal Services
• Providing Government Coordination and Linkages
• Providing Monitoring and Evaluation Services
The BPA together with professionals in the field are also developing a set of Guiding Principles for
Context Sensitive Investment in the regions by exploring fundamental questions such as:
• What is the value that an investment should produce for society?
• How should this value be measured?
• How are the social, cultural, and environmental impacts measured?
• How does one ensure community buy-in and ownership?
• How does one ensure unity among stake holders and prevent conflicts?
• What are the alternatives to philanthropy that go beyond giving to creating social value?
• What are the capabilities, processes, and structures required to create such value?
• What is the function of good governance within these?
A set of standards for business engagement are also being developed including:
• A standard for engagement of local business enterprise.
• A standard for local employment.
• A standard for human resource development.
• A standard for employment of local resources linked with local business.
• A standard for sustainable development practices.
• A standard for engagement with local community and local government administration.
BPA’s sincere appreciation goes to our diaspora who came all the way from Australia, Germany, UAE, UK,
and the USA and participated proactively at this event. We are also grateful to the local and foreign
invitees and participants for their support and encouragement. The invaluable guidance by our eminent
enterprise steering committee and partners, and the outstanding media coverage from our media
sponsors, was unprecedented. Our main sponsors who supported us financially and provided human
resources contributed immensely to the success of this project. Last but not least, we are grateful for
the untiring effort and commitment of our Secretariat, and the cooperation and voluntary contribution
made by members of the regional chambers.
Consolidating many years of experience and forging ahead, the BPA which currently represents 25
Regional Chambers of Commerce representing approximately 15,000 businesses-mostly SME’s from every
Province, has its Secretariat in Colombo as a focal point for its activities. The Secretariat which has a
group of dedicated professionals to implement the BPA mandate of regional empowerment and conflict
transformation has developed a transparent and good governance structure. We have a responsible
Finance and Audit Committee with eminent external advisors, an Operations Committee comprising
senior regional chamber directors, and a committed Board of Directors representing Chambers of
Commerce from each Province to guide and empower the Secretariat.
The BPA urgently invites private-sector partners and sponsors to support us both financially and
intellectually so that we can move forward vigorously with the momentum that has been created by the
first BizPAct Invest in Sri Lanka Symposium. This will enable us to fast-track the development of
sustainable regional economies from the “bottom-up” in order to ensure durable peace and stability
throughout Sri Lanka.
I believe that the BizPAct Invest in Sri Lanka Symposium 2009 concluded successfully, and the stage was
set for a new beginning of trust and goodwill through partnerships and networks throughout the country
and across the globe.
| BizPAct Symposium 2009 Review by Suresh deMel, Chairman - BPA July-2009 |
| “New ideas pass through three periods: 1) It can't be done. 2) It probably can be done, but it's not worth doing. 3) I knew it was a good idea all along!” – Sir Arthur C. Clarke |
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| Website Created and Maintained as a CSR Project by Members of the BPA Operations Committee |
