## 📈 Entrepreneurship & Capital Reinvestment: Keys to National Wealth

At a recent Ambeon Securities forum, LAUGFS Holdings Chairman Dr. W.K.H. Wegapitiya emphasized that Sri Lanka’s economic recovery hinges on shifting from a "nation of employees" to a culture of entrepreneurship and capital formation. • Wealth Gap & Growth: In 1950, Sri Lanka’s national wealth was US$ 1.4 Bn (2nd in Asia). Today, GDP stands at approx. US$ 84 Bn (90th rank), while peers like Taiwan have scaled to nearly US$ 1 Tn by prioritizing private capital and manufacturing. • The Profit-to-Capital Formula: Wegapitiya argued that "profit is not a crime" but a prerequisite for investment. Economic stagnation stems from social pressures and price controls that drain corporate earnings before they can be converted into productive capital. • Strategic High-Growth Sectors: To drive future GDP, focus must shift toward: Agriculture: Target to increase GDP contribution from 10% to 36% via processing and value addition. Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals: Vital due to aging demographics (25% of population over 60 by 2030). Manufacturing: Leveraging local natural resources to ensure stable, non-volatile economic growth. Services: High potential in equity investments and financial markets. • Current Outlook: The current fiscal environment is described as the "most conducive in five years." Experts suggest moving away from low-yield savings toward equity markets for long-term capital appreciation. • Key Constraints: • Only 2% of the workforce is entrepreneurially oriented. • Need for policy consistency and dedicated development financing.