Asia-Pacific business leaders gather in Colombo for CACCI 39th Conference

Sri Lanka hosts CACCI annual summit for first time, drawing delegates from 28 member nations FCCISL President Keerthi Gunawardane calls for responsible entrepreneurship and pragmatic trade policy Says perfect opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka and build ties with region in the absence of strategic trade policy CACCI President Peter McMullin AM urges cross-border business cooperation as "merchants of peace" Sectoral sessions focus on SMEs, ICT, tourism, renewable energy, and sustainable regional growth

- Pix by Lasantha Kumara

THE 39th Annual Conference and Expo of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) opened in Colombo yesterday, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from 28 member nations under the theme "Entrepreneurship in the Asian Century".

Hosted by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), the two-day event at Cinnamon Life City of Dreams marked the first time Sri Lanka has hosted the regional business summit, which has been held annually since 1966.

CACCI is a regional organisation spanning 28 member countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others across South and East Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific.

As an umbrella network of national and regional chambers, CACCI works to strengthen private-sector collaboration across the Asia-Pacific, promoting trade, investment, and entrepreneurship. It serves as a platform for policy advocacy, training, and regional dialogue, complementing the work of its member chambers and helping businesses navigate globalisation.

Through its annual conferences, presidential visits, alliances with international institutions, and policy and research initiatives, CACCI positions itself as a steward of private enterprise, fostering cooperation among Asia-Pacific business leaders to drive sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.

CACCI brings together national chambers across Asia-Pacific, representing nearly three billion people and a combined GDP of approximately $ 18-20 trillion, positioning it as one of the largest regional private-sector networks in the region.

In his welcome address, FCCISL President Keerthi Gunawardane said the 21st century truly belongs to Asia, home to more than 60% of the world's population and now contributing a similar share of global GDP.