Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ Next week, Sri Lanka’s private sector and government are poised to gain fresh perspectives from a prominent figure in Commonwealth trade and investment affairs, along with opportunities for business expansion across the 56 Member States of the Commonwealth. Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from February 19 to 21, 2024, as part of a broader tour of South and Southeast Asia.
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During his stay in Sri Lanka, he will hold discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, engaging in matters related to trade and investment. Scheduled for February 19, Lord Marland, accompanied by Wickremesinghe, will convene with Dilum Amunugama, the State Minister for Investment Promotion. Later in the day, Port City Colombo, a strategic partner of CWEIC, will host a gathering attended by influential figures from the government and business sectors. Continuing his agenda on February 20, Lord Marland will meet with British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, further strengthening bilateral ties and exploring avenues for collaboration.
Over the course of the two days, Lord Marland will engage with current strategic partners of CWEIC, including Niro Cooke, a director at Capital Maharaja Group and a member of CWEIC’s statutory board. Additionally, he will explore opportunities with prospective strategic partners keen on expanding their businesses within the Commonwealth. Established as a commercial, not-for-profit membership organization, CWEIC operates under an official mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government to facilitate trade and investment among its member nations. Leveraging the convening power and extensive network of the Commonwealth, CWEIC aims to foster greater economic cooperation.
CWEIC’s network comprises more than 140 business and government strategic partners, and every two years, it organizes the Commonwealth Business Forum in conjunction with the host country of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Within Sri Lanka, CWEIC counts several strategic partners from the private sector, including Port City Colombo, Capital Maharaja Group, and LOLC Holdings. Notably, in 2023, the Sri Lankan government renewed its commitment as a strategic partner. Concluding his visit, Lord Marland will depart for Singapore on February 21, continuing his engagements in the region.
Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and a figure of considerable influence, boasts a diverse portfolio of roles and accomplishments. Notably, he has served as the UK’s Trade Envoy, Chairman of the UK Trade and Investment Business Ambassador Network, and held ministerial positions in various government departments. Additionally, he has significant experience in the private sector, serving in leadership roles in multinational corporations and contributing to various charitable and cultural initiatives. Lord Marland’s tenure as a key figure in British governmental and business affairs spans various notable roles. From 2011 to January 2014, he served as the Trade Envoy for the UK’s Prime Minister and chaired the UK Trade and Investment Business Ambassador Network.
Prior to this, he held ministerial positions, first as the Minister for the Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2010, and later as the Minister for Intellectual Property at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2012. With a rich background in the corporate sector, Lord Marland was instrumental as one of the founding directors of Jardine Lloyd Thompson PLC, a multinational insurance entity, and remains actively engaged in business ventures. Presently, he holds chairmanship positions at EcoWorld Management Ltd. and Bspoke Insurance Group Ltd., while also co-owning the Wisden Cricketer Magazine. Furthermore, Lord Marland contributes his expertise as a member of the Investment Advisory Committee of the Kuwait Investment Authority.
Since 2006, Lord Marland has been a distinguished member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, where he frequently offers insights into British political matters. He is deeply committed to the advancement of arts and culture, holding the esteemed title of Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Recognizing his multifaceted contributions, in December 2021, the Prime Minister of the UK appointed him as a Trustee of the prestigious British Museum. Moreover, Lord Marland plays an active role in various philanthropic endeavors, serving as the Chairman of Tickets for Troops and a Trustee of the Winston Churchill Society UK. He is also a founding trustee of the Atlantic Partnership and acts as a patron for Salisbury and South Wiltshire Cricket.
The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) strategically leverages the influential platform and established network of the Commonwealth to propel global trade and investment initiatives. With a robust network comprising over 140 business and government strategic partners, CWEIC serves as a nexus for facilitating economic cooperation and development. Every two years, CWEIC organizes the prestigious Commonwealth Business Forum, held in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the host country, fostering dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders on a global scale.
