Sri Lanka–Nepal Business Council to drive bilateral trade and investment

Sri Lanka Nepal Business Council Vice President Ajith Perera

By Amira Cader

The Sri Lanka–Nepal Business Council (SLNBC) was launched at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel yesterday, marking a significant milestone in strengthening economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The SLNBC envisions becoming a catalyst for sustainable trade and investment across the Nepal–Sri Lanka corridor. The council aims to unlock existing and future business opportunities through strong public-private partnerships (PPPs), fostering shared prosperity between the two nations. It will function as a dynamic platform to promote trade, tourism, investment, and knowledge exchange.

The launch was attended by Nepali Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dr. Purna Bahadur, alongside foreign diplomats, dignitaries, representatives of the Embassy of Nepal, leading Sri Lankan and Nepalese business leaders, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders engaged in bilateral trade and investment.

Ambassador Dr. Bahadur described the formation of the Council as a reflection of renewed commitment to unlocking the untapped potential between the two economies and said that strengthening institutional and private sector collaboration would create meaningful opportunities for businesses in both countries. 

He further highlighted the commitment of both Governments to creating an enabling environment for trade and investment by strengthening institutional frameworks, reducing barriers, and fostering pro-business policies that support cross-border collaboration.

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe extended his warm wishes to the Council on its landmark inauguration. 

He emphasised the importance of strengthening trust and investor confidence between Sri Lanka and Nepal, while fostering a conducive business environment to enable cross-border partnerships and accelerate sector-based collaboration towards shared prosperity for both nations.

The SLNBC also officially launched its website as a dedicated digital platform to enhance connectivity among members, stakeholders, and potential partners, serving as a central hub for trade information, Council initiatives, and business matchmaking opportunities.

SLNBC President Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa shared key insights on expanding tourism collaboration with Nepal and beyond and said that the success of bilateral partnerships depends on building strong commercial trust between nations.

Rajapaksa also pointed to the potential of blending Sri Lanka’s batik artistry with Nepal’s thangka traditions to create unique cultural and economic value and culinary diplomacy and its role in strengthening people-to-people connections while opening new business avenues. 

He further stressed the importance of developing joint tourism packages and enhancing logistics connectivity to facilitate smoother trade flows.

SLNBC Vice President Ajith D. Perera identified immediate priorities including strengthening business-to-business (B2B) engagement, improving air connectivity, promoting sector-specific collaborations—particularly in tourism, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and handicrafts—and facilitating trade delegations.

In the long term, the Council aims to support policy advocacy, recognise contributions within the trading community, and develop regional tourism frameworks, he further noted.

Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Senior Vice President Nirvana Chaudhary reaffirmed the commitment to facilitating stronger business collaboration between the two countries. CG Corp Global’s investments in Sri Lanka include landmark ventures such as Taj Samudra, stakes in Union Bank of Colombo, and partnerships across the leisure and automotive sectors.

The SLNBC Executive Council comprises President Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa, Snr. Vice President Prof. Rohan De Silva, Vice President Ajith Perera, Secretary Shashee Malalasekara, Assistant Secretary Donald Perera, Treasurer Shristika Prasai, and Assistant Treasurer Sandun Weerasinghe.

Committee Members include Dr. Naresh Pradhan, Denzil Perera, Himali Jinadasa, Kosala Wickremanayake, and Gayan Lakmal.

The SLNBC is poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral economic relations and driving sustainable growth between the two nations. 

pix by Upul Abayasekara