National Chamber successfully concludes webinar on ‘Doing Business with Japan’

‘Doing Business with Japan’ organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka initiated by the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan concluded successfully on 17 June with a large gathering of Sri Lankan companies.

The objective of the webinar was to create awareness on current bilateral trade opportunities and challenges for Sri Lankan exporters in the Japanese market.

Welcoming the speakers, resource persons and the participants, National Chamber President Nandika Buddhipala noted that it was extremely necessary to generate export revenue for the country at this needy hour and the expectation of the event was to pave the path to Japanese entrepreneurs to directly interact with Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in a much-focused manner in the space of tourism, FDIs, trade and export, etc. He further reiterated the importance of initiative taken and support extended by Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan to explore more market opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs. 

National Chamber Deputy President and Midaya Ceramic Co. Ltd. Managing Director Anura Warnakulasooriya moderated the session and introduced the already launched digital platform www.fromSriLanka.com by the National Chamber in order to find foreign buyers for Sri Lankan products and services. 

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Japan Sanjiv Gunasekera explained the difficulties that can be encountered by Sri Lankan entrepreneurs expecting to enter Japanese market including quality standards, consistency in supply and quality, expected high standard packaging and product description, level of professionalism, trust and transparency that should be demonstrated to them, etc. 

Gunasekara informed the facilitation, services, support and guidance that can be extended by Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan in detail with a view to improving our exports to Japan. The Ambassador further elaborated that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan was geared to even assist the Sri Lankan potential exporters with required translations of their product brochures and other communications and facilitation of explanations required for samples of products requested by Japanese buyers and even communicate their feedback at the initial stages of interactions. The Ambassador further elaborated on the opportunities that can be explored in the Japanese market for various products and services including ICT and tourism. 

Speaking at the event, Japan Embassy in Sri Lanka Chargé d’affaires Kitamura Toshihiro noted that there were many Japanese investors interested in investing in Sri Lanka. He further noted that policy consistency was a key factor in decision-making and the Port City project opened new business opportunities for Sri Lanka.

Prof. Sampath Amaratunga, Chairman of the University Grants Commission Sri Lanka and who won the Award of the Japanese Emperor ‘The Order of Rising Sun’, explained the economic, socio-cultural, trade and investment aspects of both countries and the importance of Japanese investments for long-term sustainability of Sri Lanka and the global economy. 

Sri Lanka Business Council of Japan President Jagath Ramanayake noted that their association was ready to assist Sri Lankan entrepreneurs trying to enter the Japanese market through extending their support in establishing long-term relationships with Japanese companies which was of paramount importance in line with their cultural perspective. The Sri Lanka Business Council of Japan established in Japan could assist Sri Lankans to display their products at exhibitions in Japan.

Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan First Secretary (Commercial) Kapila J. Kumara shared information on the Japanese economy and behavioural aspects of the Japanese community specially on opportunities, tariff and non-tariff conditions in entering the Japanese market.

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Director – Market Development Anoma Premathilake revealed the market opportunities in the space of apparel, seafood and fishery products, tea, species and concentrates, solid and cushion tyres, industrial and surgical gloves of rubber, etc. in Japan for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs. She also noted that based on the statistical analysis and desk research carried out by EDB, a strategy paper had been compiled for the Japanese market.

The Sri Lankan business community gathered at the session extensively engaged with the resource persons in clarifying regarding the opportunities available for herbal products, ginger tea, green tea, batik, natural fertiliser market, PVC products and ICT sector, etc. in Japan. 

The National Chamber is planning to conduct a follow-up session with the intention of developing business between the two countries.