Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Wednesday, 19 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The NCE coordinated the program of the delegation with the Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK. It involved meetings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in London, retailers and end users of products for which business was sought in the UK.
The delegates met with coir fibre importers and importers in the food sector. Prospective business partners also discussed with the delegates their printing and packaging requirements.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the UK Dr. Chris Nonis met with the delegates and provided them the benefit of his views and ideas on how to get connected with UK businesses.
Marikkar briefed Dr. Nonis on the work of the NCE and the International Labor Organization (ILO) work towards joining suppliers and producers in the north of Sri Lanka with exporters in the south, for economic development of the northern communities, which will also strengthen the reconciliation process of the Government.
Dr. Nonis welcomed this initiative under the Local Empowerment for Economic Development (LEED) Project and stated that he would communicate with the Sri Lankan expatriate community in the UK regarding the project, and request them to participate in the project, since it has elements for “development and peace”.
The South East London Chamber of Commerce participated in a networking session with the NCE delegates and 23 members of this chamber who were interested in the profiles of the NCE delegates joined the half-day networking session. Participants who attended the networking session were from the services sector – trade investment and consultancy, legal services, warehousing and storage, logistics, banking, etc.
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce hosted the delegates for a breakfast meeting at the chamber premises at which 25 of members of the chamber joined the event. This event was widely-publicised across the range of the relevant businesses.
Director of International Trade of the chamber Jonathan Webber joined the business heads who discussed future business opportunities with the delegates. Webber also discussed with the NCE delegates and the Sri Lankan High Commission representatives plans of the Sri Lankan Government to transform the country into a strategically important economic centre by developing five strategic hubs; viz a knowledge hub, a commercial hub, a naval and maritime hub, an aviation hub, and an energy hub, making the most of the strategic location of Sri Lanka and her resources. Webber stated: “There are many opportunities for trade and investment between our two countries.”
Meetings were also held at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and 15 members of the chamber from the various business sectors attended the meetings. The LCCI hosted a general networking reception titled ‘Meet the Sri Lankan Business Delegation,’ at which Asian Business Association Chairman Vijay Goel and LCCI Deputy CEO Peter Bishop addressed the delegation on business opportunities in the UK.
The Sri Lankan High Commission also hosted a business lunch for the delegates for which 15 business contacts were invited.
Mohammed Abidally, Director of Lanka Plastic Industries Ltd., a member of the delegation, commented: “It was an excellent trip to the UK with some great networking opportunities. It was really good to meet key persons in the UK in the Trade and Industry Organization (UKTI), Chambers of Commerce in London in the food sector and other good contacts. I will be busy following up on all these in the next few days. Thanks for a very well organised schedule and for all the hard work put in to make this a success.”
The NCE provided the delegates with a full package deal covering invitation letters to obtain visas, air tickets, airport transfers, transport to Birmingham, hotel arrangements and setting up of meetings.
Future events planned by the NCE are visits to Vienna and the Czech Republic. These events are still in the planning stage. The Sri Lankan Trade Consular at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Vienna and the Czech Chamber of Commerce are coordinating with the NCE to finalise the visits.
Member companies of the chamber and others interested are requested to contact the chamber to obtain more details regarding these events and other events of the chamber planned for the future via Marikkar on 0777 399 325 or +94 11 4344931 (direct).
