Trade, investment and tourism promotion in Black Sea region

The Embassy of Sri Lanka on the side lines of celebration of the 72nd anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka organised a trade, investment and tourism promotional event at Trabzon in the Black Sea region on 18 February at Hotel Foleya, Trabzon, a property owned by Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka to the Black Sea region Atilla Ataman. 

Mayor of Tonya Osman Besel, Deputy Chairman of the Assembly Halil Ibrahim Nalbant, Deputy Chairmen of the Board of Trabzon Chamber of Commerce Mustafa Zihni Serdar and Tolga Avci and members of the Chamber of Commerce, Trabzon, prominent business personalities, Consul Generals of Foreign Countries stationed in Trabzon and a large number of media personnel attended the event. 

Ambassador M.R. Hassen highlighting the strong longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey, and a conducive business friendly environment following election of new President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa extended an invitation to business community in Black Sea region to explore the untapped investment, trade and tourism potentials in Sri Lanka. Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Black Sea region Attilla Ataman during his remarks, praised both the governments for the commitment to enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Mayor of Tonya Osman Besel invited the Sri Lanka and Turkish business community for future collaborations and promised his fullest cooperation for future endeavours by business communities of the two countries. Counsellor (Commercial) Yoshitha Jayaurira of the Embassy gave a detailed briefing on trade, investment and tourism relations and sectors available in Sri Lanka. A short video of Sri Lanka tourism shown after conclusion of the event mesmerised the audience on the beauty of the culture and nature Sri Lanka.  Black Sea Region is bordered by the Marmara Region to the west, the Central Anatolia Region to the south, the Eastern Anatolia Region to the southeast, Georgia to the northeast, and the Black Sea to the north. The Region has a population of 7.8 million and agriculture, forestry, fishery, mining, stock farming, beekeeping, defence related industry and tourism are the main economic activities. Tea and hazelnut are the most important agricultural products. 

Potential areas for business between Sri Lankan and Trabzon are the defence related industry, infrastructure sector, spices, gems and precious stones.