Sri Lanka-Indonesia Business Council AGM 2018

Wednesday, 7 November 2018 01:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka-Indonesia Business Council 2018/2019 Seated from left: Jatinder Biala, D.V. Jayaweera, Embassy of Indonesia Ambassador Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, Sudarshana Jayatillaka, Ayoni Rangala, Kalinga Wijesekara Standing from left: Chaminda Rajapakse, Subitha Maxi, Ahamed M. Aroos

Sri Lanka-Indonesia Business Council (SLIBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 25th Annual General Meeting on 12 September at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo and Embassy of Indonesia in Sri Lanka Ambassador I. Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, graced the event as the Chief Guest.

Welcoming distinguished guests and members SLIBC President Kalinga Wijesekara said, “We are now living in the Asian Century with Asia becoming the global economic power house and this gives SL new export opportunities. We have currently two FTAs namely with India and Pakistan while the Singapore FTA was signed recently. The current administration is discussing FTA with many Asian countries such as China, Malaysia and others. At present negotiations are underway to finalise a Preferential Trade Agreement or PTA with Indonesia. I sincerely hope that this will be not only finalised but the PTA graduate to become a FTA in the near future.”

As the Chief Guest for the AGM, Embassy of Indonesia Ambassador I. Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, congratulated the new President and the Executive Committee and said, “In January 2018 the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo visited Sri Lanka. While back in March 2017, President Maithripala Sirisena visited Indonesia. Both of these visits testify the even stronger relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and also marked the new era between two countries.

“This strong and brotherly relation in politics between Indonesia and Sri Lanka is also reflected in economic and business relations of the two countries. Bilateral trade volume between Indonesia and Sri Lanka rose to $ 342 million from $ 306 million back in 2016. We need to maintain this positive trends by exploring further potentials of trade, expanding business network, as well as maintaining an already close and friendly relations between the two countries. In this regard, I recall and appreciate the signing of Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January 2018. The signing of the MoU shall strengthen relations and encourage more engagement of business people from both countries. I reassure you, that the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo remains committed in facilitating and supporting business communities from both countries.”

Kalbe International Country Manager Sudarshana Jayatillaka was elected as the President of the Council while Douglas & Sons Ltd. General Manager, Tyres Dhammika Jayaweera and Advantis Freight Ltd. Deputy General Manager – Head of Commercial Chaminda Rajapakse, elected as the vice presidents. Serendib Flour Mills Ltd. Head of Marketing and Communications Kalinga Wijesekara, will be serving as the immediate past president. As for Committee Members of the council for the year 2018/2019, AG International, Heycarb PLC, ISIN Lanka Ltd., Malship (Ceylon) Ltd., Rainco Ltd. were elected.