Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe speaks to Italian chambers in Milan

On a promotional visit aimed at enhancing Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU under the GSP+ concessions and investment potential at large, Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe met chamber heads in Milan on 16 October.

Having a meeting with Daniela Cavagna, the President of the Small Industry Chamber known as CNA Milan, he explained the vast opportunities available for their members, particularly in transferring technology to Sri Lanka through the exchange of industry and exporter delegations in the future. The two parties agreed to exchange the tailor-made sector information of Sri Lanka prior to such visits. 

Further, the Minister met with Dr. Fabrizio Sala, the Vice President of Regione Lombardia, a regional trade chamber, and had a lengthy discussion on the plethora of potential of Sri Lanka in the trade, investment and services sectors, including air travel. At this meeting, he mentioned that Sri Lanka was the gateway to Asia, having the opportunity to supply a 4.5 billion market in the region by utilising the tariffs concessions available under various FTAs and schemes like GSP plus of which Sri Lanka is a beneficiary. He added that Sri Lanka was the only country which has gotten the opportunity to enter markets such as the EU, the US, China and India at the same time on a duty concessions basis.

On the same day the Minister met Dr. Pietro Sala, Vice President of Assolombarda Confindustria Milano, and Dr. Federico Bega, Head of Strategic Areas of the Milan Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Promose of Milan. 

At that meeting, the Minister explained in detail the new political culture and democratic era being created in Sri Lanka after a Unity Government came into power, focusing on good governance and policy reforms. 

He went on to share the details of industrial parks that are being initiated in Sri Lanka looking at country specific industries like those from Japan and other Asian investors in Sri Lanka and offered an invitation to Italian technology firms operating in the electrical and electronic sectors and boatbuilding industry. He also explained the huge opportunities created for Italian and European importers under the GSP plus concessions, mainly with apparel and fisheries imports. 

The booming tourism industry in Sri Lanka and related investment opportunities were also discussed, with the possible launch of regular and long-term promotional programs in the Italian market examined.

During the day, the Minister had the opportunity to also meet an industrial pioneer, Luciano Fantuzzi, President of the Fantuzzi Group, and his consultant Michael Drewitt to discuss the delivery of heavy machinery technology to Sri Lanka on a joint venture basis.

The Minister is also expected to address the Sri Lanka business forum in Milan tomorrow, arranged by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Italy, EDB, in association with the Associazione Italiana Commercio Estero called AICE in Milan. 

Minister Senasinghe was accompanied to these series of meetings by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy Daya S.J. Pelpola (PC), EDB Director General Jeevani Siriwardena and Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy Somasena Mahadilulwewa.