SL-Belgium to boost trade

Belgium Ambassador to India Jan Luykx, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce CEO Dhara Wijayatilake and Belgium Trade and Investment Commissioner Alexis Bossuyt – Pic by Lasantha Kumara  

By Charumini de Silva

In an effort to scale up bilateral trade and investments, a 22-member high-powered business delegation from Belgium is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka, seeking partnerships mutually advantageous for economic relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the Sri Lanka-Belgium Business Forum organised by the Embassy of Belgium in India in association with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Sri Lanka-Benelux Business Council yesterday, Ambassador of Belgium Jan Luykx emphasised on the importance of boosting trade and investments with Sri Lanka.

Stating that there are numerous opportunities for investments and businesses, he highlighted that the trade relationship with the two countries could be strengthened further.

The forum was followed by B2B meetings with 35 local companies in Sri Lanka. The high-powered delegation includes ASPARA, BESIX, CMI Balteau, Qbus, Schreder, Tractebel Engineering, United Tobacco Processing, Vanassche Fire Fighting Engineering, Belgian Chocolate Group, Cross Border Solutions, Deliva, FAMOCO, G-tec and SBE International. 

The delegates were interested in appointing a distributor to market high quality chocolates, identification of financing opportunities and facilitation of secure export finance solutions for international project development, vacuum food technology where a collaboration could be based on the input of ‘know-how’ on vacuum cooking technologies or participation in a joint venture.

The Ambassador observed that people to people movement and more B2B meetings between Sri Lanka and Belgium businesses will help enhance commercial ties between the two nations.

He also pointed out that the upcoming trade agreements as ideal platforms for investors to start up projects in Sri Lanka to capitalise on the trade agreements.