Workshop on Establishing an Inclusive Business Accreditation System in Sri Lanka

We successfully wrapped up a workshop on ‘Establishing an Inclusive Business Accreditation System’ for Sri Lanka in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Resident Coordinators Office yesterday bringing together relevant government officials, industry experts, and passionate entrepreneurs dedicated to building a more inclusive business ecosystem in Sri Lanka.

The Workshop focused on exploring the establishment of an Inclusive Business (IB) Accreditation System and the transformative power of IB models to contribute not only to economic growth but also towards a more just, stable, and resilient society. The sessions focused on areas such as the Inclusive Business Landscape in Sri Lanka, IB Accreditation Process and Steps in the implementation of an IB Accreditation System and Financial and Non-Financial Incentives that can be linked to an IB Accreditation System. It facilitated participants in learning from IB Accreditation Systems in Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and South Korea.

During the workshop, we focused on the vital steps to establish an IB Accreditation System that will drive sustainable growth, innovation, and equal opportunities for all. A presentation on the Inclusive Business Landscape in Sri Lanka and recommendations for driving inclusive business growth was delivered by Ms. Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of the Sustainable Development Council, followed by a panel discussion with inclusive business leaders on their challenges, successes, and opportunities in leveraging IB accreditation. Mr. Vihagun Ariyaratne, Founder of Owita Naturals Pvt Ltd, Mr. Asitha Jayasinghe, Founder of Blackpool Coffee, and Mr. Dushmantha Dissanayake, Agri Entrepreneur/ SME Finance Specialist, elaborated on the importance of accreditation and how it will enhance their brand value, accountability, transparency, and help businesses adopt a holistic approach to inclusivity and ethics.

Ms. Pham Hong Ngan, Research Consultant, Vietnam shared insights from the Vietnam Accreditation Pilot, and Mr. William Baxter, Project Lead, Inclusive Business at the European Chamber of Commerce, shared key learnings and recommendations to support the development and implementation of an effective IB Accreditation System in Sri Lanka.

The workshop was successfully concluded, gathering feedback from government agencies, business chambers, and other relevant stakeholders to decide the way forward for establishing an IB Accreditation system.

The Outcome Report will be shared with the relevant agencies in due course.