Opportunities to diversity export basket to Russia: Russian Charge d’Affaires

Calling on Sri Lankan businesses to leverage the resumption of direct flights to Moscow to di-versify the export basket, Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka Charge d’Affaires Alexey Budanov, said Sri Lankan businesses should focus on emerging opportunities for bilateral cooperation with Russia. 

Speaking on the occasion of the 19th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Russia Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (SLRBC), Budanov emphasised that Russia would continue to support opportunities for trade between the two countries through the current chal-lenging times.  

The Keynote speaker, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Niraj De Mel echoed Budanov’s com-ments, highlighting the importance of enhancing the opportunities in tourism, coupled with tea such as tea tourism and also implementing a way to import fertiliser and wheat from Russia. 

Acknowledging the need for a stronger focus on bilateral trade, Kolitha Wickramasinghe, who was elected President of the SLRBC for 2022/23 said he would work “closely with the Export Development Board, Board of Investment and other relevant ministries to promote more busi-ness between Russia and Sri Lanka, in the areas of Tea, Travel, Tourism, etc.”

MOS Lanka Investments Ltd. Managing Director Buddhapriya Ramanayake and Rhino Roofing Products Ltd. Director Jude Fernando, will serve as the Vice Presidents of the SLRBC for 2022/23 while, Regency Teas Ltd. Director Hiran Karunaratne was re-appointed as the Treasure to the Council and Avian Technologies Ltd. Director Buddhika Liyanage joined the committee in his capacity as the Immediate Past President. The committee elected for the period 2022-2023 will be represented by; Ceylon Fresh Teas  Ltd., Freight Links International  Ltd., HVA Foods PLC, Kaushalya Tea Export Company, Millenni-um Teas Ltd., Nature’s Beauty Creations Ltd., Orofini Jewellers  Ltd., Scanwell Logistics Colom-bo Ltd. and Walkers Tours Ltd.