Tunisian envoy in Sri Lanka visits Ceylon Chamber, discuss ways of enhancing two-way commercial acti

From left: Honorary Consul of Tunisia in Sri Lanka Mukthar Marikkar, Tunisian envoy to Sri Lanka Nejmeddine Lakhal, Assistant Secretary General of the Chamber Lilakshini De Mel and CEO of the Ceylon Chamber Dhara Wijayatilake

Tunisian envoy to Sri Lanka Nejmeddine Lakhal says commercial ties between Sri Lanka and Tunisia should be enhanced as two-way trade between the two nations stands at a negligible level at present.

Lakhal, who is based in New Delhi, made this comment when he visited the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday to discuss the way forward to enhance trade and investments between the two nations.

He met with Ceylon Chamber of Commerce CEO Dhara Wijayatilake and Senior Assistant Secretary General of the Chamber Lilakshini De Mel, who is in charge of Bilateral Business Councils.

“Trade exchange between the two nations is very low. We have to find ways to enhance it by diversifying trade between the two countries,” Lakhal said during discussions with the Chamber.

Both parties agreed to find opportunities at organising two-way business delegations and B2B meetings between business counterparts of both destinations.

The visiting ambassador from the North African country also said that Sri Lankan investors can explore the free trade agreements Tunisia has signed with neighbouring countries and also tax-free zones established in Tunisia to make investments.

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Tunisia in Sri Lanka Mukthar Marikkar also accompanied Ambassador Lakhal to the meeting. 

Trade between Sri Lanka and Tunisia during 2016 stood at a mere $ 2 million, with the trade balance lying in favour of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka mainly exports items such as tea, spices, rubber and related articles to that country, while Tunisia’s main exports to Sri Lanka are electrical machinery, equipment and parts.