Hosted
by: Mr. Brian M. Cymbaluk
Manager,
Marketing and Member Services - World
Trade Centre
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Encouraged by your interest
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You’re about to hear from one
of Canada’s best diplomats
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50 years ago, Sri Lanka’s per
capita income = Taiwan’s and
South Korea’s
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20 years of civil war
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divided the country
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killed more than 60,000
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damaged the economy
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Cease-fire brokered by Norway over
a year ago
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several rounds of face-to-face talks
since then
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knew the peace process would be a
bumpy road
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LTTE - withdrawn from talks, but hasn’t
abandoned cease fire
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hopefully back on track soon
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saw obvious desire for peace during
visit
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Peace process has been heavily supported
by the International Community
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tragedy of lives lost
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also because of Sri Lanka’s obvious
potential (should be “Jewel of
South Asia”)
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location
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crossroads of major shipping routes
to South Asia and the Far East
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transshipment centre and hub port
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workforce
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92% literacy rate
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competitive wages
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Need for ‘peace dividend’
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government’s economic reform
package:
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market liberalization
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control of public debt
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investment entry
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fiscal incentives
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Unique opportunities for Canadian
businesspeople
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long history of goodwill
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Commonwealth (English!)
- Cda-Sri
Lanka Friendship Highway from international
airport
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over $800 million in development assistance
- even
during the war - one of few countries
that continued to get aid to the North
and East
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domestic expertise and connections
- over
200,000 Canadians of Sri Lankan origin
(largest Tamil expat community in
the world)
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Shared values
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multiculturalism, two languages
- responsible business communities
(i.e. business-led Sri Lanka First
Campaign)
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Success stories
- SNC
Lavalin - just completed a feasibility
study for a proposed harbour in Hambantota
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$1.75 billion project
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Bell Canada partnered with Lanka Bell
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numerous SMEs in sectors Geetha will
outline
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No High Commission will work harder
to help you!
