JEDDAH – Dr. Turki Faisal Al Rasheed, Chairman of Golden Grass, Inc., will be the guest speaker at the upcoming Commonwealth Business Forum 2013 to be held in Colombo on Nov. 12-14.



The government of Sri Lanka and its international partners selected Al Rasheed due to his reputation as a vibrant and forward-thinking entrepreneur. The invitation from Neomal Perera, M.P., Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Sri Lanka, was hand-delivered recently to Dr Al Rasheed’s office by V. Krishnamoorthy, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and his accompanying delegation.



The Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) will take place in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), together forming the premier economic gathering of the Commonwealth, which is a bi-annual event attended by dignitaries including, this year, the Prince of Wales.



The forum will highlight new global economic partnerships for trade and investment in key sectors across the Commonwealth and beyond. The CBF, as a unique gathering of business leaders from developed and emerging markets, will focus on building the new economic and financial architecture in the global economy and ensuring that it is inclusive and beneficial to all. The forum will focus on the theme “Partnering for Wealth Creation and Social Development: The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean, Pacific and SAARC”.



Under this theme, Al Rasheed will argue that sustainable agricultural development is vital for the enhancement of food security, alleviation of poverty and promotion of economic growth in rural areas. Additionally, he will highlight the importance of cross-country agricultural investment and the creation of a legal platform that would satisfy the interest of all the stakeholders in the host and investing country.



The CBF offers all participants a unique opportunity to interact with key policy makers, business leaders and innovators who shape the global economic outlook, to work towards large-scale positive change in the regions under consideration.



This year, the forum is organized by the government of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Commonwealth Business Council and will be the largest business gathering to be held in Sri Lanka. Bringing together heads of government, ministers and international business leaders, it will be attended by over a thousand delegates. — SG