Australia and NZ envoys urge stronger trade focus for SL

Thursday, 22 September 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The need for Sri Lanka to focus more strongly on developing and liberalising international trade in order to embark on a positive path to recovery, was expressed by the High Commissioners for Australia and New Zealand to Sri Lanka, at the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Australia New Zealand Business Council (SLANZBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of the Commerce.

Committing strong support to assisting Sri Lanka to emerge from the economic crisis and move into recovery mode, Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens and New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Appleton said opportunities for development in sectors such as education and tourism and implementing agreements such as Preferential Trade Agreements will be promoted and supported by the two countries.

SLANZBC President Ruwan Rajapakse who was re-elected for the year 2022/23 said the Council would continue to play an integral role in promoting Bilateral Trade, Investment, Technical and Economic Co-Operation, Tourism and Services between Sri Lanka and Australia and Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The positive sentiments were supported by Guest Speaker Founder and Chief Executive Frontier Research Amal Sanderatne, who addressed the audience on ‘Sri Lankan Economy Situation and Opportunities in Australia and New Zealand’, expressing confidence that ‘given Sri Lanka’s long-term story, backed by data, a growth trajectory on a recovery path’ is on the cards.

The following Executive Council Members were elected for the year 2022/2023 at the 24th Annual General Meeting are as follows.

Vice Presidents – Jehan Perinpanayagam of Infomate Ltd., Udara Cumaratunga of South Asia Gateway Terminals Ltd., Sampath Jayasundara of hSenid Business Solutions, Renuke Coswatte of Sri Lanka Hospitality Consultants.

Committee Members – Subitha Maxi of AG International, Kingsley Abeywickrama of CMA CGM Lanka, Dr. Dhananjay Kulkarni of Eduko Lanka Ltd., Emil Kronemberg of E C D Global, Ruwan Kumara of Fonterra Brands Lanka Ltd., Jayanthi Dharmasena of Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd., Chandana Amaradasa of Island Leisure Lanka Ltd., Lionel D C Silva of Lidechsi Group of Companies, Gerard Victoria of Qantas Airways Ltd., M.H.K.M. Hameez of Spillburg Holdings Ltd., while Delano Dias of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC joined the Executive Committee in his capacity as the Immediate Past President.