4th SL Economic Research Conference to kick off next week
View(s):The 4th International Economic Research Conference organised by the Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists (SLFUE) will be held next week from 20-21 November at Hotel Janaki at Colombo 5. At a media briefing held last week, SLFUE former Chair, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said, “It is the ideal time for a conference like this where a change in economic reforms are taking place in the country.” He also stated that the objective of the forum is to promote closer co-operation, dialogue, collaborative research and mutual enhancement among the academics in the field of economics. The forum has grown into a fully-fledged body representing university economists at national level. As a major annual event, the conference enables academics and researchers in the field of economics to publish their research work and disseminate knowledge. Hence it is expected that the findings would outreach the wider public and policy makers’ attention.
The 1st international conference of SLFUE was held at the University of Colombo in 2012, the second at the University of Peradeniya in 2013 and the third at the University of Ruhuna last year. SLFUE (current) Chair Dr. Sumudu Perera, Head of Department of Business Economics of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, said with the growth of the forum this year’s conference may accommodate outside participation. Any party interested to participate the conference may request registration via email to slfue@sjp.ac.lk.The theme of this years’ conference is ‘Inclusive Growth towards Economic Transformation’ which is a timely and a demanding theme for today’s economy, he said.
‘Inclusive Growth’ refers both to the pace and pattern of long-term change in dominant economic activity in terms of growth which is interlinked and should be addressed together. It encompasses both the aspects of growth where micro dimension captures the importance of structural transformation for economic diversification and competition, including creative construction and destruction of business models and markets while the macro dimensions capture the rapid and sustained high levels of quality of life. ‘Economic transformation’ is the long-term change in dominant economic activity in terms of prevailing relative engagement or employment of able individuals which is essential for poverty reduction and productivity change, the organisers said. (RM)
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of Institute of Policy Studies. A panel discussion on the theme will also be conducted with the participation of representatives and senior economists. (RM)