A recent meeting between the Sri Lanka – Greater Mekong Business Council (SLGMBC) of the Ceylon Chamber Her Excellency Ho Thi Thanh Truc, the Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, focused on on identifying strategies to boost production, increase exports, and attract investments in various sectors, including agriculture, construction, logistics, tourism, and pharmaceuticals.
During the discussion Mr. Suriyakumara, president of SLGMBC emphasised the importance of attracting Vietnamese investors to Sri Lanka, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, where there is significant potential for growth. They highlighted the need to boost Sri Lanka’s production and exports through strong business partnerships.
Investment in agricultural production and processing was a major focus, with the Council citing Vietnam’s successful models as examples. Specific areas like cashew and coffee production, where Vietnam excels, were identified as potential sectors for valuable expertise and investment.
Recognizing the potential in tourism, the Council proposed initiatives to attract more Vietnamese tourists to Sri Lanka. Discussions included cultural exchange programs and establishing direct flight connections to enhance tourism flow between the two countries.
The Council explored opportunities for educational collaboration, noting the increasing interest among Vietnamese students to study in Sri Lanka. The potential for collaboration in English medium education was highlighted, emphasizing the relevant affordability and quality of Sri Lanka’s English education system compared to other countries. Establishing partnerships with educational institutions was seen as a promising avenue for growth.
Given Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on pharmaceutical imports, the Council identified this sector as a priority for investment. Collaboration with Vietnamese pharmaceutical companies could significantly reduce dependency on imports and help develop a robust local manufacturing base.
The potential for joint ventures in construction and infrastructure projects was discussed. Sri Lanka’s need for modern infrastructure presents an attractive opportunity for Vietnamese investors.
Addressing logistical challenges, the meeting proposed solutions to streamline business operations and facilitate smoother trade between the two countries. The importance of direct flights to reduce travel time and costs was underscored as a critical factor in boosting tourism and business travel.
Her Excellency Ho Thi Thanh Truc expressed strong support for these initiatives and reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to enhancing economic cooperation with Sri Lanka. She mentioned Vietnam’s commitment to bringing more business delegations to Sri Lanka to explore potential avenues for strengthening economic ties.
The Sri Lanka – Greater Mekong Business Council aims to continue fostering these discussions and implementing the strategies outlined during the meeting. Future events are planned to further solidify the partnership and create concrete opportunities for collaboration.
For further details regarding membership of the Council, please contact the Secretariat of the Sri Lanka – Greater Mekong Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce via Email: bizpromo@chamber.lk or Tel.: 011 5588829 / 5588800.
Photo caption: Standing from left to right: Mr. Ranil Chandrasekara, Mr. Shaameel Mohideen, Mr. Ranil Seneviratne, Immediate past president, Mr. Mahen Weerasekera, Mr. S.M.D. Suriyakumara, President, Her Excellency Ho Thi Thanh Truc, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Tilak Gunawardane, Mr. Nishan Seneviratne, Vice president, Mr. Tran Trong Thanh, Counsellor & Deputy Chief of Mission of Vietnam, Ms. Noory Kiyas, Ms. Amanthi Silva, Secretariat of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce