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Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera
German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Holger Seubert
Chief Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka Andreas Hergenrother
EY Senior Partner and Head of Tax Duminda Hulangamuwa
German Ambassador Holger Seubert and Chief Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka Andreas Hergenröther launched the seventh edition of ‘Top German Brands in Sri Lanka’ on Monday at The Kingsbury in presence of the Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and about 150 representatives of German brands.
“We are very proud that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, finally 178 German brands have joined ‘Top German Brands 2021,’ which is an increase of 13% compared to last year. With today’s event participating German companies and their representations have underlined their strong commitment as reliable long-term partners in Sri Lanka,” stated Chief Delegate Andreas Hergenröther.
Top German brands’ logos have been shown during the entire year at the premises of the German Embassy, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) and in the frame of multiple events.
German Ambassador Seubert pointed out: “To increase the presence and to encourage further FDIs of German companies, a reliable legal framework and a level playing field are of crucial importance.”
Referring to the fact that Sri Lankan exports to Germany were three times higher than German exports to Sri Lanka, he added: “Germany is committed to free and fair trade. Bilateral trade degenerating into a one-way street is neither free nor fair.”
In fact, German exports to Sri Lanka decreased until the end of 2020 by 26.3%, while Sri Lankan exports to Germany decreased by 5.1%. German exports to Sri Lanka were about Euro 234 million in the year 2020, while Sri Lankan exports were more than three times higher reaching about Euro718 million. During the first nine months of 2021 bilateral trade has picked up again. German exports to Sri Lanka rose by 14.1% while Sri Lankan exports rose by 18.1%.
Within the frame of a joint project of AHK Sri Lanka and Friedrich Naumann Foundation on sustainable supply chains and sustainable tourism, the following companies were awarded for their extraordinary sustainability commitment in the subsequent categories: Sustainable Tourism/SME and innovation: The Thinnai Organic Farm Hotel; Sustainable Tourism/Large enterprise: Aitken Spence Travels; Sustainable Supply Chains/SME and innovation: Gralgo Spices; and Sustainable Supply Chains/large enterprise: Eskimo Fashion Knitwear.
Pix by Lasantha Kumara
