ECCSL, CBB to discuss post-Brexit opportunities in UK and Europe with intl. experts panel

Brendan Vickers

George Riddell

Niro Cooke

Suresh de Mel

The UK’s exit from the European Union last year caused some significant shifts in trading relationships, not only between the UK and the EU, but also further afield. Some of these changes may not yet be fully apparent, as international commerce and trade have been severely impacted this past year by the global pandemic. 

As the pandemic recedes and global trade rebounds, will there be new opportunities for Sri Lanka? The UK is Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner; however, adding together the countries of the European Union, the combined bloc is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner. How is this being affected by Brexit? Will the UK look to grow trade with Commonwealth members?  Can we expect new opportunities with the European Union? 

This is the second event on Brexit to be jointly held by the European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL) and the Council for Business with Britain (CBB), and follows a very successful event that was held in May. Once again, an impressive panel of international experts have been brought together to share their insights, opinions and recommendations on what new trade opportunities Brexit might create for Sri Lanka.

The Zoom webinar, titled: ‘Brexit: Challenges and New Opportunities for Trade with UK and Europe from Sri Lanka and South Asia’, will be held on Thursday, 8 July at 3:00 p.m. Sri Lanka time.

The speakers at the webinar include The Commonwealth Secretariat Advisor and Head of International Trade Policy Brendan Vickers, Consultant Economist specialising in Better Regulation, Governance, Brexit and Transport in Ireland Tom Ferris, EY Director – Trade Strategy George Riddell and Export Development Board – Sri Lanka Chairman Suresh de Mel.

The event will be moderated by Capital Maharajah Group Director/Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Niro Cooke.

Founded in 2000, the CBB is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote bilateral trade and foster conducive business relationships between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. 

With a membership of 157 medium-to-large corporations in Sri Lanka, across a wide range of sectors, the CBB facilitates the free exchange of ideas, information, and advice on UK trade and investment pertaining to its members. It introduces members’ business activities to potential UK trade partners and stimulates and aids in co-operation between member companies and other organisations.  They can organise various trade and investment promotion missions, and informative and interactive forums, seminars, and awareness programmes on doing business with the UK. The CBB was recently made a member of the British Chambers of Commerce Overseas.

The ECCSL was founded in 1996. Its primary objective is to stimulate, strengthen and promote economic and business relations between Sri Lanka and the 51 countries of Europe. ECCSL broadly seeks to provide, inter alia, efficient and professional information, advisory, consultative, promotional and representative linkages between Sri Lankan and European business entities. CBB and ECCSL are joined by A. Baur and Co., and HSBC as Corporate Sponsors of the webinar and Blue Lotus 360 as Digital Partner.

Tickets for ‘Brexit: Challenges and New Opportunities for Trade with UK and Europe from Sri Lanka and South Asia’ are free for members of the CBB or ECCSL, and Rs. 1,500 for non-members. Interested participants can register online via https://event.chamber.lk/Register/Event/100