Reach out to overseas markets through CCC’s Bilateral Business Councils

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), the foremost business chamber in Sri Lanka, caters to the business needs of over 3,000 establishments through its direct and indirect membership. 

The service needs of these organisations are met by the CCC in numerous ways. They include, introduction of local and overseas business links, facilitation of export/import procedures, expansion of trade and investment promotion opportunities, advisory services on trade related issues economic updates, seminars, networking sessions and many more.

The Business Councils Division which acts as the trade and investment arm of the CCC encompasses 21 Bilateral Business Councils covering almost the entire globe. These councils were formulated by the Chamber with the objective of promoting trade, investment, services, tourism and joint ventures between Sri Lanka and the relevant country.

Functioning under the purview of the CCC, the 21 councils cover Africa and the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, Benelux Countries, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Maldive Islands, Malaysia, Nordic Countries, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Singapore and Vietnam.

“These 21 Bilateral Business Councils act as a link towards expansion of trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the said countries. The needs of the Business Council members are met by CCC’s Bilateral Business Council Division through facilitation of services such as inbound/outbound trade promotion missions, trade contacts, seminars, meetings with relevant embassy officials – to name a few. These offer them opportunities to have a direct dialogue with the parties concerned,” said Lilakshi De Mel head of the Bilateral Business Council Division.

She added: “If the business community is interested in establishing new links or expanding their existing links with any of the markets where the business councils are established, the ideal way forward would be to join the relevant council.”

The Business Councils Division in association with the CCC will be organising trade, tourism and investment promotion mission to Vietnam, Poland and Bulgaria, Maldives, France, Germany, South and West Africa, Singapore, New Zealand and China in 2012.

Membership is open to individuals as well as organisations and the best way for you to develop your existing market base would be to join the Business Council of your interest.  

Further details could be obtained from Lilakshi De Mel, Senior Assistant Secretary General on 5588867/5588818, e-mail: [email protected] or you could visit the CCC located at 50 Navam Mawatha. Colombo 2.