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Excerpts - Business Interactive Session at the WTC in Mumbai with the Chairman

Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai in association with AIAI, WTC and Sri Lanka Export Development Board organised a business interactive session in Mumbai on December 14 with potential businessmen, importers, investors and travel operators and agencies to promote ‘Sri Lanka Expo 2012,’ the mega trade event to be held in Sri Lanka from 28-31 March 2012. at the Sirimavo Bandaranayke Memorial Exhibition Centre (BMICH), under the theme, Partnering with the Hub of Asia.

Mr Vijay Kalantri, President of AIAI, in his welcome address highlighted the long standing trade relations between Sri Lanka and India, and the opportunities for further enhancement of bilateral trade relations between the two countries under the Indo-Lanka FTA.

The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Mr Janaka Ratnayake, in the keynote address elaborated on ‘Sri Lanka Expo 2012’. During the interactive session, Mr Ratnayake urged Mumbai-based entrepreneurs to visit Expo 2012 and explore the opportunities available in Sri Lanka under the new economic era.

The Chairman stated that Sri Lanka Expo 2012 would provide opportunities to display and promote quality export products on a single platform. Over 300 Sri Lankan exporters are expected to participate, covering the entire product range of traditional and non-traditional products and services, while expecting over 1000 overseas buyers from strategic markets and foreign ministerial delegations.

Ratnayake further stated that Expo 2012 would not only promote Sri Lankan products, but also attract foreign investment and tourism. In his presentation, he highlighted the potential sectors for trade expansion between Sri Lanka and India, and opportunities for investment in the Island.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board will organize this national event with the support of public and private sector institutions. The stakeholders of the event are the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Commerce, Board of Investment, Department of Export Agriculture, Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Tea Board, National Gems and Jewellery Authority and National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.

The main objectives of hosting the Sri Lanka Expo 2012 is to promote the country’s trade, investment and tourism, to re-position Sri Lanka as a lucrative business, investment and tourism destination in Asia, and to instil buyer confidence in Sri Lanka’s quality products and services, all of which would facilitate the business community to achieve the national exports target of $15 billion by the year 2015. Sri Lanka’s future prosperity depends on a vibrant, dynamic and innovative export sector, and Sri Lanka Expo 2012 will contribute towards achieving the set export targets.

History

Sri Lanka’s experience on Expo exhibitions goes back to early 1990s. Sri Lanka Expo ’92, the first ever International Trade Fair in Sri Lanka, was held in November 1992 at the BMICH with the participation of 375 Sri Lankan companies. The second Sri Lanka Expo was held in October 1994. Sri Lanka Expo ’94 had approximately 315 stalls with participation of over 350 exhibitors. Sri Lanka Expo ’97, the country’s third international style export fair, was held in October 1997 at the BMICH. Over three hundred companies exhibited a wide range of products. Over one thousand buyers and investors visited each Expo exhibition held in Sri Lanka.

Products

There will be nearly 350 stalls representing more than 300 leading export companies representing apparel, tea, rubber, footwear and leather products, ICT/BPO/KPO, gems and jewellery, food and beverages, spices and allied products, coconut and coir based products, confectionary and bakery products, fish and fishery products, fruits and vegetables, boat building, ceramic and other mineral products, giftware and lifestyle products, handloom, wooden products, spa and herbal products, ornamental fish and floriculture and plastic, paints and allied products, electric and electronic products, ship repairing and ship building, and services sectors

Business Symposium on March 29

The ‘Mahinda Chintana’, or the way forward, the government’s policy document, envisages Sri Lanka to be transformed into a strategically important economic centre of the world. In this transformation, Sri Lanka will be developed into five hubs providing links between the East and the West. These hubs are maritime hub, an aviation hub, a commercial hub, an energy hub and a knowledge hub.

The Business Symposium, on March 29, will be conducted under the theme of Sri Lanka – the Hub of Asia. It will be held at National Performing Arts Theatre Colombo, and will include speakers from the international business sectors and eminent Sri Lanka Policy makers. It will provide an opportunity for prospective investors to get first hand information on opportunities in the FDI sectors i.e. Manufacturing sector (electronic and electrical, rubber related industries, machinery/mechanical appliances, automobiles and spare parts, food processing, optical/photographic and medical instruments, furniture, pharmaceuticals), Infrastructure developments, namely hotels, hospitals, housing/apartments, waste management, IT parks, renewable energy, and highways.

In addition to the above, the EXPO 2012 programme will include buyer-seller meetings, company/factory visits, networking and social events.

Registration Fees:
Exhibition & Symposium US$250
Exhibition only US$50

Accommodation Package

After the successful completion of the verification process in the online registration, prospective buyers and investors will be offered a special accommodation package. This will include three (03 nights complimentary accommodation with bed & breakfast only, at a star class hotel – 3 star and above). For details of online registration facilities for Sri Lanka Expo, please visit www.srilankaexpo.com.

For inquiries/details, please contact the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai on Email slcon@mtnl.in; or, Expo Secretariat, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, No. 42, Navam Mawatha, Colombo 02; Tel: +94 11 2300722/2303974; Fax: +94 11 2305212/2300715; Email: exposec@srilankaexpo.com, achini@srilankaexpo.com

 

* Source: Sri Lanka Export Development Board

The lady behind the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Medha Patkar has now a question mark hanging over head for her credibility. Surprisingly, the ones to raise this flag are eminent jurists from the Supreme Court of India. In its recent judgement, the apex court not only charged Patkar with purgery, but also used harsh remarks to address the social worker

Ever since the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) was established in 1989, it has managed to make headlines at regular intervals. The relentless campaign led by NBA activists has held up the completion of the Narmada dam project and has ensured that the benefits of the project like provision of drinking water, power generation and irrigation facilities, do not reach the people. The NBA activists and supporters have even attacked the local people who accepted compensation for relocating. The Narmada Dam protesters have been regarded by many experts as nothing more than environmental extremists who have scuttled the development of the region. There have also been instances when the NBA activists turned violent and attacked rehabilitation officers from the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA), and caused damage to the contractor’s machinery. Now, the NBA has also been accused of lying under oath in court about land ownership in areas affected by the dam. The Supreme Court has mulled perjury charges against the group.

The lady behind the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Medha Patkar has now a question mark hanging over head for her credibility. Surprisingly, the ones to raise this flag are eminent jurists from the Supreme Court of India. In its recent judgement, apex court not only charged Patkar with purgery, but also used harsh remarks to address the social worker.

Although the social worker filed an application to expunge certain remarks from the judgement, the court refused to do so. These applications were filed on the grounds that adverse remarks made against the applicants (NBA) are unwarranted and uncalled for and are not based on any material evidence on record. More so, they were not necessary to adjudicate upon the controversy involved in the appeals. The Court, while passing the order, stated that the applicants (NBA) cannot be permitted to make out a new case to justify expunging of adverse remarks. Remarks have been made as it was necessary to do so while deciding the controversy involved therein. The Judgement stated that “… we reach the inescapable conclusion that the NBA has not acted with a sense of responsibility and not taken appropriate pleadings as required in law. However, in a PIL, the court has to strike a balance between the interests of the parties. The court has to take into consideration the pitiable condition of oustees, their poverty, inarticulateness, illiteracy, extent of backwardness, unawareness also. It is desirable that in future the court must view presentation of any matter by the NBA with caution and care, insisting on proper pleadings, disclosure of full facts truly and fairly and should insist for an affidavit of some responsible person in support of facts contained therein”.

Post the judgement, Patkar has been strongly working towards associating herself with other causes, whether the Mullaperiyar Dam or that against corruption supporting Anna Hazare.

Also an environmental activist, Medha Patkar associated herself with the Mullaperiyar dam controversy and said that she was surprised by Tamil Nadu’s stand politicizing the issue which has seen Kerala and TN at loggerheads. According to her, TN must be ready for talks to resolve the issue amicably. Kerala’s demand for a new dam citing the present condition of the 116-year-old reservoir is lawful. She also expressed that a new dam to replace the old one in Mullaperiyar should be the last option.

She also got involved with the protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), after visiting the protest venue at Idinthakarai in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu. She reassured the agitators of her support and stated that she would take steps to spread the message of the protest outside Tamil Nadu.

Not only that, she also got involved with the anti-corruption protest by Anna Hazare and his team. She followed the leader’s path and went on a fast, which was highly appreciated by Team Anna. The result was that she was included in Team Anna. Although, when other members came under the scanner, she conveniently separated herself from the team and said that it was the members who were corrupt and not the cause.

Looking at the above instances, one clearly gets a feeling that the social activist is desperately looking for a cause that would bring her back to the limelight for a positive cause and heal her wounds.

By Our Correspondent

Meanwhile, economists agreed that the globalisation debate is far from over. For decades, economists have written about globalization with widely divergent views and perspectives. While many have driven forward the cause of globalization in finance and trade, several others have posed their doubts about the merits of globalization, the role of international trade organizations, and the advantages of a global economy that fosters free trade

Now it seems established that Globalisation is not the only panacea of all economic ills of any society. This new age global financial architecture is beset with trilemma emanated out of a synergy among democracy, nation state and ‘Globalisation’, said Dani Rodrik, professor of international political economy, Harvard University, while proposing new ‘traffic rules’ for the world economy at FICCI Fedederation House on 16 December 2011 under the auspices of Bharat Ram Memorial Seminar.

In his latest book, ‘The Globalisation Paradox: Why Global Markets, States and Democracy Can’t Coexist’, Professor Rodrik highlights the ‘Globalization Paradox’ as a ‘trilemma’ where he says that one cannot simultaneously pursue Democracy, National Self-Determination and Economic Globalisation. He uses historical experience to showcase that domestic needs always emerge victorious whenever they clash with the requirements of the global economy. Thus he states that managing globalisation calls for getting a right balance between markets and regulation, and between the global economy and the nation-state. Hence Professor Rodrik believes it is ‘smart globalization’ that should be promoted instead of ‘maximum globalisation’, as it would help the world economy come out strong from the effects of the crisis.

Quoting from Dani’s book,Mr. K.K. Modi, Past President, FICCI, stated that Prof. Rodrik in his book on the topic of the seminar highlights the ‘Globalization Paradox’ as a ‘trilemma’ where he says, one cannot simultaneously pursue Democracy, National Self-Determination, and Economic Globalisation. He said, Prof. Rodrik is of the view that managing globalisation calls for getting a right balance between “markets and regulation”, and between “global economy and the nation-state”.

“The main cause of concern is how to attain balanced development as we confront today’s global challenges in trade, finance and labour markets. Should it be what Professor Rodrik suggests – that we pursue ‘smart globalisation, not maximum globalisation’? It would help the world economy to come out strong from the effects of the crisis, because it would focus on fairness and sustainability as well as growth,” Mr. Modi remarked.

However, Rodrik laid strong stress on labour mobility when he said that mobility of labour without much hindrance is an important component of the globalisation process. “There is need for promoting labour mobility. There should be greater flexibility in the labour market in the form of liberalising the temporary visa regime by advanced countries to allow greater mobility by workers,” he said.

According to him, the dilemma of world politics in the present age is that countries will have to sacrifice either their national sovereignty or the democratic system in order to reach the stage of hyper-globalisation, a stage where economic and political barriers among states will disappear. He termed the idea of hyper-globalisation as not being compatible with democracy. “Markets need to be embedded in various institutions to work well. The problem with the model of the 1990s was the push for hyper-globalisation with institutional infrastructure,” Rodrik said. Stating that emerging economies like India and China are very sensitive to the concept of national sovereignty, he said that the shift of global power to these countries will ensure that national sovereignty will not wither away. “This will, in fact, be positive... Recognising centrality of the nation state will help economic growth... There is a natural limit to how far a market can expand itself and its scope is limited by the scope of workable regulations,” Rodrik said.

Citing the ongoing crisis in the Euro Zone, he said that the problem arose because while policy was being decided at the level of the European Union, politics continued to be played at national levels. “The problem arises when globalisation restricts articulation and pursuit of democratic space at the domestic level,” he said.

About the new ‘traffic rules’ Rodrik said that countries have the right to protect their own social arrangements and institutions (not to impose them on others), attain the maximum ‘thickness’ in trade and investment flows that is consistent with maintaining space for diversity in national institutional arrangements, enable like-minded countries to deep integrate and when the latter is not feasible or desirable, rely on traffic rules to manage interface among national institutional arrangements.

Prof. Rodrik said, “These traffic rules must create ‘policy space’ to allow rich nations to provide social insurance, address concerns about labour, environmental, health, and safety consequences of trade, and shorten the ‘chain of delegation’, poor nations to position themselves better for globalization through economic restructuring and all nations to create financial systems and regulatory structures more attuned to their own conditions and needs”.

The extent of the market, he observed, was limited by the scope of workable regulation andgovernance. “Markets need a wide range of non-market institutions. They are not self-creating, self regulating, self stabilizing, or self-legitimizing. Markets cannot work properly and be politically sustained in their absence,” he pointed out.

Prof Rodrik said that the main focus of legitimate governance remains the nation state – that is where democratic deliberation resides, especially since transnational forms of ‘global governance’ likely to remain weak at best. In addition, there are legitimate differences across nation states on the shape that regulatory institutions ought to take due to differences in history, culture, levels of income result in divergences in needs and preferences. Therefore, “We have to contend with a world economy that remains a patchwork in terms of governance and moderate our ambitions regarding economic globalization. There are also one or two risks when we get the balance wrong – legitimacy deficit when we push global rules too far, and inefficiency and instability when we push global markets too far. Recognising the centrality of nation-states is more likely to contribute to a healthy global economy than trying to eviscerate it, Prof Rodrik remarked.

Meanwhile,economists agreed that the globalisation debate is far from over. For decades, economists have written about globalization with widely divergent views and perspectives. While many have driven forward the cause of globalization in finance and trade, several others have posed their doubts about the merits of globalization, the role of international trade organizations, and the advantages of a global economy that fosters free trade. The promise of globalization was that it would help developing nations grow significantly faster and catch up with the industrialized nations through increased employment and technological advancement.

Although globalization has enabled unprecedented levels of development in advanced countries and has been a boon to some developing economies, it is still a concept that rests on shaky pillars as its benefits have not reached economies across the world uniformly. The primary objective of the seminar was to get a deeper insight into the dilemma surrounding globalisation and the different notions of it carried by economists. The seminar also deliberated on the future of globalization and how to attain balanced development as we confront today’s global challenges in trade, finance, and labour markets. Among others who spoke their minds during the sessions were Mpntek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission of India, and Lord Meghnad Desai, from London School of Economics who chaired the seminar, while Dr Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Mr Arun Maira, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India also spoke.

By Akhilesh Sourav