Session on ‘Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka & Iraq’
Tuesday, 20 May 2014 00:00
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A session on ‘Bilateral Trade with Iraq’ will be held with the participation of the Ambassador of Iraq, Kahtan Al Janabi as Special Guest Speaker. The session organised by the National Chamber of Commerce will be held on Tuesday 27 May from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber Auditorium at No. 450 D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10.
The Ambassador will be assisted by Dr. Ali Al-Kuhlee, Asst. Commercial Attache. They will speak on the current business trend, trade potential, opportunities for export, import, investment/and other services available in Iraq for Sri Lankans. There will be an opportunity for participants to meet the Ambassador and representatives from the Embassy and get first hand information on the relevant areas.
According to the Department of Commerce, the value of total trade between the two countries that stood at $ 8.72 million in 2003 topped $ 89.99 million in 2013. Iraq has lifted a ban on coconut fibre pith exports from Sri Lanka and has also agreed to relaxing restrictions on Ceylon Tea, according to the Ministry of Industry And Commerce.
Sri Lanka exported goods totalling $ 89.80 million to Iraq and imported only goods worth $ 0.19 million from Iraq during 2013.
Tea has been a major export item to Iraq accounting for about 95% of Sri Lanka’s exports to Iraq, with an estimated 15,000MT of Ceylon tea being exported. The Iraqi Ambassador encouraged Sri Lankan-trained medical personnel to work in Iraq, such as anaesthetists, nurses, and physicians. According to a statement, the Iraqi State Trading Corporation had expressed willingness to buy certain items from Sri Lanka including rubber tyres, stationary, electrical cables, generators and accessories, apparel and textiles, household appliances, toys, foodstuffs and coverings for trailers.
For reservation kindly contact Mrs. Fouad at the Chamber on 4741788 or email [email protected] or [email protected].
