Ceylon Chamber’s SLSBC leads business delegation to Singapore

The Sri Lanka - Singapore Business Council (SLSBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce led a multi-sectoral 19-member delegation to Singapore, showcasing Sri Lanka’s burgeoning tech talent and growing potential in a multitude of other sectors. 

Headed by Prajeeth Balasubranium, the forum was organised in collaboration with the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG), supported by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore, and represented a pivotal post-pandemic re-engagement effort to continue with the SLSBCs mandate to foster trade relations between Sri Lankan corporations and their Singaporean counterparts. The delegation comprised representatives from manufacturing, agriculture, spa, venture capital, poultry, and tech startup sectors, aiming to explore growth opportunities in the Singaporean market.

Among the many highlights of the 3-day forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lanka – Singapore Business Association (SLBA) and the SLSBC, which formalised a commitment to enhancing business ties. The Forum comprised presentations, discussions and networking events, providing delegates with valuable opportunities to connect and engage with Singaporean companies as well as Chambers of Commerce. A panel discussion titled “Sri Lanka – Way Forward” featured distinguished representatives, including High Commissioner of Sri Lankan in Singapore Sashikala Premawardhane, KPMG Sri Lanka Head of Advisory and SLSBC President Shiluka Goonewardene, Hatch Co-founder and Veracity Group CEO Jeevan Gnanam, and banker cum lawyer Sankalpana Fernando. 

The program received resoundingly positive feedback from the delegates. Isso Restaurants Ltd. CEO Apinash Sivagumaaran, said it was a “great experience to network with key stakeholders on the ground”, while Hatch Works Ltd. Chief Program Officer Mevan Peiris, said the visit facilitated a “realistic but hopeful outlook of Sri Lanka within the business community of Singapore.” Crysbro Group Farm’s Pride Ltd. Director Shafeek Samad, lauded the experience as “a wonderful opportunity” and expressed hopes for his company’s expansion in Singapore.

Hatch and Veracity were Platinum sponsors of the mission, while Fastcorp Pte. Ltd. was the Corporate Secretary service sponsor. 

Participating companies included Agrithmics Ltd., Alpha BPOSBB, Bairaha Farms PLC, Bileeta Ltd., BOVCapital Ltd., Emojot Ltd., Farm’s Pride, Gensoft Ltd., Hatch Works, Isso Restaurants, KPMG, Nidro Supply Ltd., Prudential Shipping Lines Ltd., Spa Ceylon Ayurveda Ltd., Spear Global Holdings Ltd., Spectrify AI Ltd., Spillburg Holdings Ltd., Wavenet International Ltd, and Veracity Group.