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Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Wednesday, 28 December 2016 08:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The EDB facilitated Sri Lankan leading exporters to have fruitful discussions with Malaysian counterparts during the Business Forum themed ‘Mutual Business Opportunities between Sri Lanka & Malaysia’ which was held on 15 December 2016 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur with the participation of more than 300 top businessmen from Malaysia.
A Sri Lankan product display was organised during the business forum showcasing high quality exportable products like Ceylon tea, virgin coconut oil, cashew, confectionery products, gems and jewellery, porcelain tableware and handicrafts.
Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia in collaboration with Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organised this business forum. The main objective of the forum was to enhance trade, tourism and investment between the two countries. This event was held as a part of the activities organised to mark the 60th anniversary of Sri Lanka-Malaysia diplomatic relations.
EDB Chairperson and Chief Executive Indira Malwatte, addressed the distinguished business gathering outlining the opportunities for trade between the two countries. She further explained the services extended by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in facilitating Malaysian businessmen to establish contacts with Sri Lankan exporters, creating more trade opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters to enter into the Malaysian market.
Chairman of Dialog Axiata shared his investment experiences in Sri Lanka. He highlighted positive factors such as close proximity, friendly people, availability of raw materials and English literacy which enabled them to intensify their investment towards Sri Lanka. BOI Chairman Upul Jayasuriya and SLTPB Chairman Paddy Vithana also addressed the gathering.
Malaysia and Sri Lanka share long standing cultural and business ties. The President’s visit and the business forum were timely to further strengthen the goodwill that already exists between the business people of both countries.
Sri Lanka’s trade delegation consisted of representatives from CR Group, Frostaire Ltd., Green Way Asia Lanka Ltd., Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board (Laksala), Ellawala Exports Ltd./Renelle Private Limited, Sapphire Capital Group and Sapphire Cutters, and Silk Route Ceylon Merchants Ltd.
The business forum paved way to establish a significant number of business connections for the companies of Sri Lanka. Business negotiations conducted with leading supermarket chains in Kuala Lumpur resulted in sending initial product samples.
The EDB Chairperson had discussions with a leading fresh fruit and vegetable importer in Malaysia to export fruit varieties from Sri Lanka and sought their collaboration to upgrade Sri Lanka’s post-harvesting technology. She also invited one of the biggest e-marketing service providers in Malaysia to Sri Lanka and listed Sri Lankan export products in their B2C and B2B e-marketing platform.
EDB also conducted fruitful meetings with the Malaysian Trade Promotion Organization, MATRADE, to share knowledge and learn about good business practices.
