Sri Lanka’s CCC and Australia’s MDF kick-off climate change adaptation event series for agri-businesses

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) in collaboration with the Australian Government-funded Market Development Facility (MDF) will host a series of events titled, ‘The Business Case for Climate Change
Adaptation for Agribusinesses,’ to increase awareness of local agri-businesses on the risks posed by climate change to their business models.

The kick-off event of the series, ‘Experience from Industry Leaders,’ will take place on Tuesday, 24 August, at 9 AM via Zoom and will bring together a variety of prominent Sri Lankan business leaders who have
identified climate change as a risk in their own business models and taken steps towards adaptation and mitigation.
The event will be opened by Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Amanda Jewel. A panel the discussion will follow, featuring Dilmah Tea Company PLC (keynote speaker) CEO Dilhan Fernando,
joined CBL Group Managing Director, Shea Wickramasingha; John Keells Holdings PLC – Retail Sector Head Charitha Subasinghe; Aitken Spence
Plantation Management PLC, Managing Director, Dr. Rohan Fernando; and, International Water Management Institute, Principal Researcher and RGL – Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience, Dr. Giriraj Amarnath.

The webinar will be moderated by Senior Journalist and Editor of the Daily Financial Times, Nisthar Cassim, An interactive
Q&A session will follow the discussion.

The series aims to encourage agribusinesses to invest in adaptation strategies, with a long-term view of achieving bottom-line growth. As a key outcome of the event, participating agribusinesses will have the
opportunity to explore the possibility of accessing MDF funding to invest in socially inclusive and sustainable climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

“It is imperative that agribusinesses are aware of the impacts of climate change and are equipped to adapt. This is important, not only for safeguarding the planet and its resources but also to ensure that Sri Lankan businesses stay globally competitive and continue to support the livelihoods of Sri Lankan men and women who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. MDF looks forward to partner with agribusinesses to implement climate-smart and inclusive business models,” said Momina Saqib, Country Director of the Market Development Facility.

Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector contributes to 7.8 percent of GDP. Approximately, 29 percent of the country’s labour force is employed in the sector, providing livelihood to 70 per cent of the rural population.
In the last 10 years, the sector has contributed to both the domestic food requirement and about $ 2.5 billion in export proceeds on average. In this context, climate change poses a significant threat to the sector and its productivity, putting at risk the livelihoods of direct and indirect stakeholders.

The webinar will take place on Tuesday, 24 August 2021, from 9.00 am to 10.30 am via Zoom. For registrations email [email protected].

MDF is funded by the Australian Government and implemented by Palladium in partnership with Swisscontact. In Sri Lanka, MDF’s focus is on supporting the high-value tourism, agriculture, and fisheries
sectors with cross-cutting investments to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation, access to finance, and digital adoption. To date, MDF’s investments have benefitted 28,710 disadvantaged men and
women and generated an additional income of $ 15,091,000 for Sri Lanka.