Sri Lanka’s ambition to become a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and marketing excellence received a major boost on Wednesday night, as the country formally announced its hosting of the prestigious World Marketing Forum (WMF) 2025 — a first for South Asia.
The event, to be held at Mount Lavinia Hotel from November 11 to 16, is set to draw marketing leaders, investors and innovators from over 50 countries, underscoring Sri Lanka’s rising profile in the global business and knowledge economy.
Kicking off the press conference, at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the government views the forum as a strategic milestone that aligns perfectly with the national vision of transforming Sri Lanka into a multi-sectoral hub — for trade, industry, technology and events.
“We are thankful to the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and the Asia Marketing Federation for ensuring that Sri Lanka secures this global event to showcase the new Sri Lanka. This will make Colombo the focal point of world attention, even if it’s for three days. Every delegate who comes here will become a brand ambassador for Sri Lanka, he said.
Highlighting the government’s push to connect industries with marketing innovation, Abeysinghe said the partnership between the Ministry of Industry and SLIM was not symbolic, but a national collaboration aimed at linking entrepreneurship, marketing and industrial growth.
“Marketing and industries cannot exist in isolation. Strong industries need strong marketing. Our ministry’s mission is to connect these hubs — to support collaboration and drive entrepreneurship. This event is a statement that Sri Lanka is open for business, innovation and global partnerships, he noted.
He added that the government’s vision to reach a USD 45 billion export economy within five years will depend heavily on strategic branding, innovation, and positioning — areas that the WMF 2025 will help strengthen through global engagement and knowledge sharing.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) in collaboration with the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), the World Marketing Forum 2025 marks a historic first for Sri Lanka and South Asia. The forum will bring together world-renowned marketing icons, including Prof. Philip Kotler, Prof. Hermawan Kartajaya and Jack Xin Yayo, alongside representatives from leading global marketing institutions, such as, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), American Marketing Association (USA), Digital Marketing Institute (Ireland), and the Australian Marketing Institute.
Prof. (Dr.) Jayantha Dewasiri, president of SLIM, described the event as a defining moment for the country’s marketing fraternity:
“Hosting the World Marketing Forum is a powerful endorsement of Sri Lanka’s intellectual capital, creative excellence, and entrepreneurial spirit. It will place Sri Lanka firmly on the global map of marketing innovation and thought leadership.”
In a video message, Jack Xin Yayo, president of the Asia Marketing Federation, hailed Sri Lanka’s hosting of WMF 2025 as “a big milestone”, bringing together representatives from every continent.
“This shows how marketing can connect the world. SLIM’s efforts are deeply appreciated, and I am confident this event will spark new partnerships, ideas, and opportunities, he said.
Prof. Hermawan Kartajaya, founder of the World Marketing Forum and Asia Marketing Federation, highlighted the theme “Reimagining Marketing: Asia to the World”, reflecting Asia’s growing influence in shaping the global marketing landscape.
“Asia is now the new power in the world, not just economically but intellectually. The World Marketing Forum in Colombo will demonstrate how Asia inspires marketing transformation worldwide, he said, noting that “this will be the fifth edition of WMF, following successful events in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.”
By Ifham Nizam 
from The Island https://ift.tt/RqPVvzW
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