Fresh boost to B’desh-Lanka ties

Wednesday, 20 October 2010 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A business delegation from the Sri Lanka Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLBCCI) is to visit to Sri Lanka from 28 October to 1 November with the objective of increasing investment and trade opportunities.

The delegation hopes to initiate linkages that will lead to the establishment of joint ventures and technology transfers between the two countries. SLBCCI also expects to forge a strategic partnership with Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, which was established in 1839, when Sri Lanka then known as Ceylon was under the British rule.

The SLBCCI was formed in Bangladesh in 2006 with the prime objective of strengthening bilateral trade and investment opportunities between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Amongst its other core activities are promoting tourism and cultural ties between the two friendly nations. The joint patrons for the Bangladesh Chamber are the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Bangladesh.

“We hope this inaugural visit will lay a good foundation to strengthen and enhance existing trade ties but also highlight the mutual benefits that can accrue for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,” said the President of the SLBCCI Harikesha Wijesekera.

The SLBCCI will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), during this visit. The Bangladesh delegation will attend the International Buyer- Seller Meeting organised by the Ceylon Chamber Commerce on 29 October 2010.

The delegation will also attend the presentation on the Sri Lankan economy and insights to Trade and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and the networking evening organised for the 28th evening as a fore-runner for the Buyer-Seller meeting.

“The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Bangladesh delegation and will be happy to share Knowledge and experience the Ceylon Chamber has gathered over one and a half centuries,” said Dr. Anura Ekanayake, Chairman of the CCC.

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) will provide an insight to trade and investment, tourism, other services and opportunities in Sri Lanka at the BSM 2010.

The Bangladesh delegates are also expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers and key government officials during their visit. Currently Sri Lanka exports over US$ 26 million of products to Bangladesh while Bangladesh exports to Sri Lanka goods over US$ 14 million.

The SLBCCI will present a glimpse of multicultural Bangladesh through a fine art exhibition by Kanak Chanpa Chakma, one of the finest Bangladesh artists specialising in tribal art at the Sri Lanka’s National Art Gallery, Colombo 7 on the 28 and 29 October. In addition, the SLBCCI will also present a fashion show, Deshi Colours, by Aneela Haque, a leading Bangladesh fashion designer at the Taj Samudra Hotel on the 28 October.

Lead sponsor of the fashion show is Eastern Bank Limited (EBL), a well established, top ranking bank in Bangladesh and its co-sponsor is the Square Group, another conglomerate in Bangladesh that works globally. The internationally recognised Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, which has established successful operations in Bangladesh, is the sole sponsor of the art exhibition.