SL-Canada Business Council President emphasises importance of attracting foreign direct investments

Seated from left: Infotechs Vice President Ramya Weerakoon, High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka Shelley Whiting, Fentons President Chandev Abhayaratne, MAC Holdings Vice President Harith Jayasuriya, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Lilakshi de Mel

Standing from left: Committee Members – Ong Jhon Seon (Prima Ceylon), Saroshi Dubash (Abans PLC), D.R. Rajapakse (Samson Rubber Industries), Sampath Liyanage (Divehi Holdings), Lionel Silva (Lidechsi Group of Companies) and Raja Abeysinghe (Hydromec International)

The 24th Annual General Meeting and the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka-Canada Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce were held on 4 August at the Residence of the High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka Shelley Whiting. 

Sri Lanka-Canada Business Council was inaugurated by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 14 August 1991 to promote trade, investment and tourism between Sri Lanka and Canada. Addressing the gathering, President of the Council Chandev Abhayaratne emphasised the importance of further enhancing trade, attracting foreign direct investments to Sri Lanka and strengthening of the membership base of the Council during the period 2016-2017. The membership of the Council is comprised of 60 companies across diverse sectors such as exports, imports, manufacturing, services and tourism amongst many others. 

Addressing the gathering, the Patron of the Council, Shelly Whiting expressed delight that ‘the Sri Lanka-Canada Business Council is celebrating 25 years of service to the Sri Lankan business community’ and was encouraged at the growing interest shown by Canadian companies in Sri Lanka across a multitude of sectors especially in infrastructure, education, aviation and renewable energy with 25% total merchandise trade growth in 2015.

Bilateral Business Councils, an integral part of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), play a vital role in the promotion of international business. The main activity of the Councils is expansion of business between Sri Lanka and the partner country. As at date, the Ceylon Chamber operates 21 Bilateral Business Councils and their prime objectives are promotion of trade, investment, joint ventures and services including tourism between Sri Lanka and the respective countries. The first Business Council, Sri Lanka-Japan Business Co-Operation Committee was formed in 1979. Since then 20 more business councils were formed in fulfilling its primary objective.