FCCISL and New Zealand High Commissioner discuss trade investment and regional business partnerships

High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka David Pine with the FCCISL delegation during the meeting held at the FCCISL Secretariat  

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) met High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka David Pine, at the FCCISL Secretariat on 28 August 2026 to discuss practical measures to strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

FCCISL President Dr. M. Rohitha Silva, warmly welcomed the High Commissioner and thanked him for visiting the FCCISL Secretariat and engaging directly with the Federation’s leadership on opportunities to deepen bilateral economic and business relations.

The meeting reviewed the New Zealand-Sri Lanka Strategic Cooperation Plan developed and submitted by FCCISL in May 2025. The High Commissioner emphasised the importance of systematic strategic collaboration, sustained institutional engagement and an enabling policy framework to translate the plan into coordinated action and measurable outcomes. He also highlighted the need for relevant public- and private-sector stakeholders in both countries to work together in strengthening economic, business and cultural cooperation.

“This engagement provides a practical pathway to translate the Strategic Cooperation Plan into opportunities for Sri Lanka’s regional and sectoral business communities,” said FCCISL Director and Chairman of the State Affairs Committee Ruwan De Silva.

The discussion also centred on a proposed New Zealand-Sri Lanka trade and investment framework, stronger business-to-business (B2B) connections, and opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). FCCISL highlighted the potential for Sri Lankan SMEs to establish partnerships with Maori community-led businesses, particularly in agriculture, forestry, seafood, tourism, arts and handicrafts, financial technology and ICT.

The High Commissioner highlighted the business delegations and forums scheduled to be held in New Zealand in February 2027 and invited FCCISL to organise and lead a Sri Lankan business delegation to participate in these engagements. The proposed visit would provide opportunities to conduct a Sri Lanka-New Zealand Business and Investment Forum, establish direct business connections and explore trade, investment and joint-venture opportunities with New Zealand enterprises.

The parties also discussed the possibility of organising forums connecting Maori and Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, complemented by training, networking and capacity-building programmes for women and young entrepreneurs in both countries.

During the discussion, FCCISL Director Jagath Mullevithana, representing the Badulla District and Uva Region, expressed interest in cooperation relating to dairy farming, milk production and modern technologies to support the development of Sri Lanka’s regional dairy industry. The High Commissioner explained New Zealand’s advanced dairy technologies and production systems and expressed his willingness to facilitate collaboration and share New Zealand’s experience, expertise and technical knowledge with Sri Lankan dairy businesses and relevant regional stakeholders.

Looking ahead to Sri Lanka Expo 2027, FCCISL expressed interest in engaging with the planned New Zealand business delegation and exploring a memorandum of understanding with a leading New Zealand chamber of commerce. Such a partnership could connect businesses through FCCISL’s chamber network and its relationships with regional and international business organisations.

The meeting also considered opportunities to promote Sri Lankan tea, cinnamon, spices, gems and jewellery, agricultural products, rubber and coconut-based products, apparel and ICT services among New Zealand importers. Tourism, education, sports, student exchanges and improved air connectivity were discussed as further avenues for strengthening commercial and people-to-people relations.

The parties expressed their interest in continuing engagement to translate the FCCISL-developed Strategic Cooperation Plan into practical initiatives through an appropriate policy framework and coordinated institutional arrangements. Priority areas would include trade and investment promotion, SME cooperation, dairy-sector development, entrepreneurship, cultural engagement and the proposed FCCISL business delegation to New Zealand in February 2027.

FCCISL was represented by President Dr. M. Rohitha Silva, Senior Vice President Abbas Kamrudeen, Past President Shirley Jayawardane, Directors Ruwan De Silva, Dhammika Lokuge, Thusith Wijesinghe and Jagath Mullevithana, Secretary-General Tilan M. Wijesooriya, Head of Operations M. I. S. Fathima, and Business Analytics Intern Harini Weerasinghe.