Fresh private sector effort to boost Sri Lanka-Italy ties

The Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted a delegation from Italy headed by Dr. Luis Durnwalder, President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen – South Tyrol, Italy at The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently.

The delegation focused on exploring facilities that are available in Sri Lanka for investment on tourism. Dr. Durnwalder stated that he was pleased with the steps taken by the Sri Lankan Government in order to promote tourism. Currently, Bolzano funds two projects in Sri Lanka – a housing scheme in Panadura for tsunami victims and a development project at Meegaswewa in Medirigiriya.

South Tyrol is Italy’s northernmost province and is located in the heart of the Alps. The territory is situated in a very central position in Europe, bordering Austria, Switzerland, and the Italian provinces of Sondrio, Trento and Belluno. South Tyrol has a population of 511,750 corresponding to 0.8% of Italy’s total population. South Tyrol’s economic stability rests upon a harmonious structure comprising small scale enterprises and the per-capita income is higher than the Italian and European averages.

It was revealed that South Tyrol’s tourist arrivals accounts for 28.9 million in 2011. The majority of foreign visitors are from Germany.

A total of 57,712 companies are entered in the Companies Register of the Bolzano/Bozen Chamber of Commerce, of which 17,133 are in the agriculture sector. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy followed by tourism.

The greater part of income in the agricultural sector is earned by fruit growers. South Tyrol accounts for almost half of all apples produced in Italy, and 10% of the entire European apple harvest. Dairy farming is the second mainstay of South Tyrol’s agricultural sector. The manufacturing and processing industry comprises the manufacture of material goods.

The meeting was chaired by Harin Malwatte, Secretary General/CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Daya Rathnayake, President, Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council, made a presentation on Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council and its activities for the benefit of the delegates.