The Indian and Sri Lankan Governments have resumed discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) , which seeks to further advance trade and economic partnership beyond the Free Trade Agreement which came into force in 2000.
Once signed, it will help in achieving the true potential of India-Sri Lanka trade partnership. If we go by the FTA experience, it will enable Sri Lanka to significantly expand its exports both in goods and services to India, said Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha at All India Management Association (AIMA) event held in Colombo on Thursday.
“This is also our objective in keeping with our neighbourhood-first policy.” The Ambassador said India has also been the largest source of investments to Sri Lanka in the past four years.
“We continue to work to generate greater interest among the Indian industry to maintain this trend. Investments in infrastructure, energy, renewable energy, transport and telecommunications among others are likely to assist us in this regard.”
“Over the last ten years the intake of women into Foreign Service in India has significantly increased and women’s presence in leadership roles is for more satisfactory at present.”
The core focus of AIMA council is to facilitate continuous development of women leaders and to encourage women to compete for leadership positions.
Meanwhile Founder and managing Director, Who We Are, Embark, Otara Foundation and Odel, Otara Gunewardene said, her success in business was solely based on intuition.
“At a time when I was a fashion model I developed a passion to become an innovative entrepreneur. There was a time when I visited factories to purchase apparel from excess stocks to be sold at my little shop in Bambalapitiya. My father motivated me and my mother gave a little money to use as capital.”
“I started my business small and let it grow gradually. The revenue I generated was invested in the business and never used it for personal comforts. As the business grew I was compelled to obtain bank loans which I repaid promptly. Thus I build a healthy rapport with banks. I advise women to be innovative and invest initially on small startups”, she said.
Operating Partner at Advent International Private Equity and Former Chairman, Pepsi Co India, Shiv Shivakumar said, “Attitude vouch for making of a woman leader. However, early marriage, lack of support from spouse, parents and in laws, societal bias, awkwardness, being victim to foul language at workplace hinder emergence of women leaders. Yet, attitude of Gen Z is very healthy in workplace and in society”.
