“Embassy will support French investments in Sri Lanka”: Envoy

The Sri Lanka-France Business Council (SLFBC), which functions under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, held its eighth Annual General Meeting at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently.

The council was inaugurated on 4 February 2004 with a primary objective of promoting trade, investment, tourism and services between Sri Lanka and France and to promote mutual understanding and strengthen the relationships between Sri Lanka and France.

Ambassador of France Christine Robichon graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, she highlighted that during the past year French exports to Sri Lanka grew at a significant rate. She also indicated that the Embassy of France would continue to support and encourage French investments in Sri Lanka.

Alstom President Dilipan Tyagarajah was re-elected as the President of SLFBC for 2012-2013.  In his address Tyagarajah mentioned that Sri Lankan exports to France increased by 12.5% and similarly imports from France also increased by 48.2% during 2011.

Tyagarajah also mentioned that he looked forward to working closely with the Embassy of France and the French Trade Commission to further develop the trade relationship between Sri Lanka and France.

The two Vice Presidents elected were Asanka Ratnayake, (Director, Hayleys PLC) and Murad Rajudin (Chief Executive Officer, Noyon Lanka Pvt. Ltd.).

Tilak de Soyza (Chairman/ Managing Director, Associated Motorways Pvt. Ltd.), Senaka Amerasinghe (Managing Director, Carmart Ltd.), Shano Sabar, (Director, CMA-CGM Lanka Pvt. Ltd.), Navindra Abeysekera (Director, Delmege Forsyth & Co. Ltd.) and Anurag Kak (Managing Director, Lafarge Mahaweli Cement Pvt. Ltd.) were elected to the Committee for the 2012-2013. The Immediate Past President is Nirmali Samaratunga, (Chairperson and Joint Managing Director, Mackwoods Ltd).

Jean-Louis Poli, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the French Trade Commission, Nilupul De Silva, (Director Promotions, Board of Investment), Jeewani Siriwardena, (Director – EU, Sri Lanka Export Development Board) and Mahesh Amalean, (Chairman, MAS Holdings Ltd.) would also serve on the Committee by invitation.