Sri Lanka to host economic summit on Asian trade integration

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit (SLEIS) 2026 on October 12–13. Under the theme ‘Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy’, the summit aims to explore how the nation can strengthen its integration into Asia’s expanding trade, investment, and supply chain networks.

A central session, ‘Linking Sri Lanka to Asia’s Growth Networks: Trade, Corridors, and Value Chains’, will address the country’s potential to move beyond traditional exports by leveraging its strategic location near major maritime routes and the Indian subcontinent. The event seeks to identify ways to convert geographic proximity into tangible economic benefits, such as increased manufacturing, jobs, and participation in international production networks.

Key participants include P D Singh, CEO of India and South Asia at Standard Chartered Bank, who will deliver the keynote address. The summit will also feature a panel discussion with Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata, Toyota Lanka Chairperson Masaaki Kawabata, and Maliban Biscuits Group CEO Ravi Jayawardena.