Sri Lanka’s private sector trade body has set up a Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Business Council (SLVBC), to expand trade, attract investment and build commercial partnerships between businesses of the two countries.
“The Sri Lanka–Viet Nam Business Council will work to connect businesses, identify market opportunities and support partnerships that can translate into increased trade and investment,” the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said.
30 companies joined as inaugural members.
“The Council reflects growing private sector interest in strengthening commercial ties and pursuing new opportunities across both markets,” the chamber said.
The launch was attended by the Viet Nam ambassador Trinh Thi Tam, Chamber Chairperson Krishan Balendra and Secretary General Shiran Fernando, and representatives of the business community and government institutions.
Balendra identified opportunities across manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, tourism, ICT, renewable energy and professional services, noting that closer business engagement could translate into greater trade and investment flows between the two countries.
Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam noted that with both countries working towards a bilateral trade target of US$ 1 billion by 2030, it is important to ensure strengthening business-to-business connections, and encouraged the Council to create opportunities for companies of all sizes.
The launch was attended by the Viet Nam ambassador Trinh Thi Tam, Chamber Chairperson Krishan Balendra and Secretary General Shiran Fernando, and representatives of the business community and government institutions.
Mahen Kariyawasan, Managing Director of Andrew the Travel Company, was appointed inaugural President of the Council.
Suranjaya Rajaguru, Director of Millennium Transportation (Pvt) Ltd, was appointed Senior Vice President, while Kamal Wimalaratne, Chief Executive Officer of Hayleys Engineering, was appointed Vice President, with Malith Thilakarathne of Nations Trust Bank PLC appointed Treasurer.
The Executive Committee will also include representatives from AgStar PLC, Aitken Spence Cargo, Hirdaramani International Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Linea Aqua (Pvt) Ltd and Maliban Biscuits (Pvt) Ltd.
Kariyawasan called for a more active commercial relationship that converts longstanding ties between the two countries into tangible business outcomes.
He highlighted tourism, aviation, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and logistics as areas with scope for greater cooperation, while emphasising the need to facilitate business partnerships, trade delegations and investment opportunities for both large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Through the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Council will also provide Sri Lankan and Vietnamese enterprises with a structured channel to engage with each other and pursue new commercial ventures, strengthening the private sector’s contribution to bilateral economic relations.
Source : Economy Next
