British High Commissioner hosts reception for UK companies at Sri Lanka Expo

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives, John Rankin, hosted a reception at his residence on Wednesday, 28 March, for the representatives of the 44 UK companies attending the Sri Lanka Expo 2012. The companies represented a range of sectors, including apparel manufacturers, BPO, tourism, construction design and engineering services, education, management consulting for manufacturing companies, ICT, manufacturing, consumer goods and media production. Also present were government officials and CEOs from large companies in Sri Lanka in sectors of interest to the delegates.

Speaking at the reception, the British High Commissioner said, “As British High Commissioner, one of my key objectives is to help increase bilateral trade between our two countries. It is with this in mind that I am delighted to welcome today the UK delegates for the Sri Lanka Expo. I hope this visit proves to be successful in expanding your business – further developing already strong trade partnerships between Sri Lanka and the UK – and wish you all the very best.”

UK is Sri Lanka’s second largest trade partner by volume, after India. Latest figures also show that the UK is within the top five investors in Sri Lanka. There are already over 100 companies in Sri Lanka with a UK affiliation across a wide range of sectors. In 2011, UK exports to Sri Lanka amounted to £155 million – a 20% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, exports from Sri Lanka to the UK amounted to £804 million, an increase of 14% from the previous year.