Ceylon Chamber hosts new Consul General to Mumbai, discuss ways to enhance trade with India

Thursday, 8 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday facilitated a meeting between Saroja Sirisena, Designated Sri Lankan Consul General for Mumbai and some of the representatives of the local firms doing business with India. Sirisena addressing the participants said that Sri Lanka’s economic relationship with India is an important one, as the neighbouring giant is the island’s largest trading partner. She also said, since Mumbai is the commercial capital of India, Sri Lanka is trying to strengthen the Mumbai mission to garner more economic opportunities.

Speaking during the meeting, Harin Malwatte, Secretary General/CEO of the CCC said that local businesses who are engaged in doing business with India has a number of issues to deal with, in getting their job done. “Our members and the ones who deal with India are not fully satisfied,” Malwatte added. However, he said that the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka is highly cooperative towards the Chamber and member requests. Vish Govindasamy, the President of the Indo-Lanka Chamber said that the long-term visa issue is one of the major issues faced by the Lankan businesses when visiting India. “Sri Lankan businessmen, who go regularly to India struggle a lot owing to the visa issue, as India has not allowed us visa on arrival,” said Vish Govindasamy, President of the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce. “We have a very healthy FTA with India, even though few issues are there to be ironed out,” added Govindasamy. Ayoni Waniganayake, Senior Assistant Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber informed Sirisena that the Chamber as is customary will extend to her its fullest support by providing her with necessary information on the Indian market, to help improve trade between the two countries. Sirisena, who is currently the Director General of External Affairs at the Ministry of Economic Development, is due to assume Office as Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai from June 2014. Diplomats designated to various countries visit the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce as a customary practice to meet and discuss with the local business community engaged in doing business with the respective country and also to meet the representatives of the business councils, who deals with respective countries. Representatives from Hemas Group, Mansel Ceylon Ltd. and Lanka Exhibitions and Conference Services are among the companies, who took part in the discussion.