Sri Lanka strengthens business ties with Russia

“Russia and Sri Lanka enjoy gradual growth of bilateral trade. Tea Exports to Russia have always been robust and exciting; the time has come for us to seek more comprehensive efforts to widen our economic co-operation, beyond conventional economic means, in order to create an even more advantageous economic relationship, for  both sides,” said the President of the Sri Lanka- Russia Business Council, Nimal S. Cooke, Executive Director of the Maharaja Organisation Projects (Pvt) Ltd, addressing the business community during the recent Trade and Investment Promotion Mission to Moscow, Russia.

From Left: Sergey Gavrikov, Rajind Kiridena, Ms. Kamani Bartholomeusz, Kanishka  Samaraweera, Nimal S. Cooke, Thilak Seneviratne Yapa, Ms. Ayesha Samuel, Hiran Karunaratne.

This Trade and Investment Promotion Mission to Moscow, Russia was organized by the Sri Lanka – Russia Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The main objective of this mission was strengthening trade ties, sourcing suitable business partners for trade, investments, joint ventures, technology transfer and services and also assisting in expanding existing business contacts of the participants.

During the visit the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Russian Federation organized a business forum and one-to-one business meetings, thus giving an opportunity to delegation members to meet representatives of Russian companies.

The nine member delegation was headed by Nimal Cooke, Executive Director of Maharaja Organisation Projects Ltd. The delegation comprised of Regency Teas  Ltd (Hiran Karunaratne, Director/ Hayleys Tea- Joint Brand Owner), Mos Lanka Investments Ltd (Dr. Saman Weerasinghe – Chairman), Life Leisure Holidays Ltd (Ms. Ayesha Samuel – Managing Director and Thilak Seneviratne Yapa), Microcells Ltd (Kanishka  Samaraweera – Factory Manager), Natures Beauty Creations Ltd., (Rajind Kiridena- Business Development Manager), Magnum Motors  Ltd (Muthu Nesamanimaran- Vice Chairman). The mission was co-ordinated by Ms. Kamani Bartholomeusz, Manager of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The Mission coincided with the inaugural direct flight of Sri Lankan Airlines to Moscow on 17th September, 2011.