Bank of Ceylon (BOC) Chairman, Ronald C. Perera joined the ‘Belt and Road Initiatives - Bankers Roundtable’ discussion in Beijing, China recently. The BOC was the only Sri Lankan participant at the summit.
The Bankers round-table was conducted in line with the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ forum that took place last month. The event was hosted by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
With the Bank’s strong ties with many of these international banks and the importance of its role in the Sri Lankan banking industry, the Bank of Ceylon was invited to represent the country in this forum.
In his speech at the conference, Perera said the Indian Ocean remains the key to Asian prosperity.
He pointed out that the Indian Ocean envisages at its core, an ocean free of conflict, despite competing economic interest, with lanes of comfort, ease and safety of passage, freedom of navigation, secure and sustainable use of resources for economic advancement of states in an equitable manner is imperative. Perera said to fully tap this potential the Government will engage in initiatives with China and the regional players who have major economic stakes in the Indian Ocean.
“Being the most prominent commercial bank in the country whose vision is directly linked with that of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), the Bank of Ceylon will continue to cooperate with GOSL to implement various development projects to facilitate and enhance the operation of the country as a maritime and an economic hub in the Indian ocean and will participate in projects brought by ‘Belt and Road Initiatives’,” he said.
Proposed by the Government of China, the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is said to provide a visionary blueprint for global economic development.
The initiative looks into key areas; cultural exchanges, Policy co-ordination, facilitate connectivity, financial integration, trade, Investment and infrastructure development.
The motive of the Bankers forum was to discuss boosting their presence under the Belt and Road Initiatives and to seek closer partnerships for project financing.