Ceylon Chamber signs agreement with Japanese federation to promote trade

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Japan’s Kansai Economic Federation signed an ‘Agreement of Cooperation’ to promote two way commercial ties.

The agreement was signed when the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce together with the Sri Lanka-Japan Business Cooperation Committee participated in a ‘round table’ meeting with a top Japanese biz delegation that arrived in the country last week, led by the Kansai Economic Federation to explore business opportunities in the island.

Under the agreement, both sides will ‘exchange information’ pertaining to economic and business trends in the two countries, cooperate in the areas of  trade, investment and business, cooperate in the areas of environment conservation and energy-saving and also work on human resources development.

Speaking during the occasion, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Samantha Ranatunga said: “Today’s briefing session to exchange views on how to enhance the economic relationship between Sri Lanka and Kansai, Japan is of particular significance to us at a time the Government of Sri Lanka is further encouraging investors to consider establishing joint ventures in Sri Lanka.”

In response, 

International Committee of the Kansai Economic Federation Vice Chairman and Chairperson Masayuki Matsushita said Kansai region has a strong interest in expanding business to Sri Lanka.

“We have very clear objectives – to obtain an in depth understanding of the status of fast-developing Sri Lankan economy, her policies towards industries and the latest investment environment and to identify the opportunities to expand business, especially in environment sector,” added Matsushita.

Sri Lanka-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee President Daya Wettasinghe adding into the discussion said: “The visit of a delegation of an elite nature of this to Sri Lanka from Japan shows the Japanese commitment and interest in doing business with Sri Lanka.”

“I ask you’ll to look at investing in the fields of infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, logistics and capital market, etc.,” Wettasinghe requested.

The round table discussion saw leading Japanese firms such as Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Nippon Express, Takenaka Corporation, Hitachi Zosen, Marubeni Corporation, Daikin Industries, Mitsui and Company limited and Kyoei Steel Ltd., etc. taking part. Several Sri Lankan firms representing a multiple of sectors were also present at the meeting.

The Ceylon Chamber was also represented by Secretary General/CEO Mangala P.B. Yapa and Assistant Secretary General Lilakshini De Mel at the round table discussion, while several senior officials of the Kansai Economic Federation, such as Masaru Nakamura, Yasuyuki Hirotomi, Hideaki Tabuchi and Yohimasa Ohashi, respectively the Vice Chairmen of the organisation, were present at the meeting.