Friday Jul 31, 2026
Friday Jul 31, 2026
Friday, 31 July 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha |
A 31-member business delegation from the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) concluded a three-day visit to Sri Lanka after holding talks with Government officials and the private sector aimed at expanding bilateral trade, investment and business partnerships.
The delegation, coordinated by the ICC’s Tamil Nadu State Council, comprised companies from sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, apparel and textiles, food and agricultural products, and infrastructure.
During the visit, the delegation met Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, who outlined Sri Lanka’s economic outlook and highlighted opportunities to deepen the India-Sri Lanka economic partnership through increased trade and investment.
The delegation also held discussions with officials from the Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Ministry on areas of mutual commercial interest and potential collaboration.
As part of the program, delegates met representatives of the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI), Hayleys PLC and the Access Group to explore opportunities for commercial engagement and identify potential business partnerships.
To facilitate business-to-business engagement, the High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Indian CEO Forum, organised the “India-Sri Lanka Trade Connect: Interaction with ICC Delegation” in Colombo on 28 July.
The event brought together members of the visiting delegation with representatives of leading Sri Lankan companies, business organisations and entrepreneurs from Jaffna to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
Addressing the forum, High Commissioner Jha said there remained significant untapped potential to expand bilateral trade and investment, adding that stronger business-to-business partnerships and increased State-level economic engagement could support deeper commercial ties between the two countries.
The visit also saw the formal exchange of two Memorandums of Understanding signed between the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka, and between the ICC and the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs.
The agreements are intended to strengthen institutional cooperation through information sharing, trade and investment promotion, business networking and the identification of new areas for collaboration.
The High Commission said the visit reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen economic engagement through stronger trade, increased investment and closer business-to-business and regional partnerships.
