The Indus Entrepreneurs of Kerala and FCCISL sign cooperation agreement

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) in consultation with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and KPMG organised a 13 member business delegation to Sri Lanka from Kerala led by, the President of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Murali Gopalan, Kerala from the 29 September to 3 October 2010.

Founded in 1992, TIE is a nonprofit entity comprising major entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals. The current TIE portfolio consists of over 12,000 members over 55 countries. Having the mission to “foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education”, TIE is dedicated to generating and nurturing our next generation of entrepreneurs.

Having the objective of exploring the newly identified post-war markets in the North and East regions of the island, the TiE delegation is interested in establishing business links for Investment, Joint Ventures, Strategic Alliances etc., with the industry leaders of the following sectors:

Agricultural Business, Food Processing, Tourism and Hospitality, IT, Ayurveda and Health-care, Manufacturing, Medical/Pharmaceutical items, Transportation, Floriculture, Textile and Readymade Garments, Education, Construction, Journalism, to Entrepreneurship Development and Training.

In order to exploit the opportunities of business with the Kerala delegation, FCCISL organised   Business Meetings for Sri Lankan companies at the Dukes Court, Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo on 1 October 2010.   There were   over 40 business houses which had successful business talks with the delegation representing Colombo and Regional business ventures of varied business interests mainly representing the sectors mentioned above.   

At the inaugural session President, FCCISL, Kosala Wickremanayake made the welcome address. Dr. Thusitha Tennakoon, Secretary General and other officials of FCCISL made presentations on FCCISL, SME 2011 Machinery Exhibition which is with unique features due to its dedication to SME development focus. Founder President C. Balagopal, of TIE – Kerala made a presentation on their objective of visiting Sri Lanka representing the interests of their delegates and highlighting the similarities between Sri Lanka and Kerala.  Presentation on the “Jaffna Trade Fair” scheduled for 21 – 23 January 2011 in Jaffna, presented by Sri Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Pvt Ltd (SLECC) which undoubtedly be a fantastic opportunity in exchanging business interests with Jaffna business community and introducing products and services to people of Jaffna.

Several Board Directors and other officials of FCCISL, representatives of SLECC and leading companies participated at this vital session.

The FCCISL organised the entire programme for the Kerala delegation from 29 September to 2 October 2010 which included meetings with, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiyutheen; Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene; Indian High Commissioner, Ashok K. Kantha; Director General, Ministry of Economic development, Dr. Saj Mendis; Chairman EDB and Chief Executive Janaka Ratnayake; Sri Lanka Accreditation Board, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and a few others.

The delegation also attended the Round up on 16th SAARC Summit — Deepening Economic Integration — Strengthening Role of Private Sector in Regional Initiatives, organised by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with FCCISL in Colombo on 30 September.  

President, FCCISL, Kosala Wickemanayake, and President TIE, Murali Gopalan, of Kerala signed a Cooperation Agreement between the two organisations at the FCCISL.