Sri Lanka invited to set up logistics centres in Belarus
Wednesday, 28 August 2013 00:53
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The Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has suggested that Sri Lanka set up logistics centres in Belarus, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mikhail Myatlikov said on 26 August at the Belarus-Sri Lanka business forum attended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“We suggest setting up customs warehouses and logistics centers in Belarus where Sri Lankan products will be packaged and later sold in Belarus and the other Customs Union member states,” Myatlikov said. In his view, this way Sri Lanka will be able to make the most of the favourable geographical location of Belarus.
“Sri Lanka is the major rubber producer, while Belshina uses this raw material in great quantities. A number of talks will be held today to discuss it,” Myatlikov said. Sri Lanka would like to purchase Belarusian sugar and will consider setting up an assembly factory to manufacture farm machines.
Myatlikov reminded that the business forum and the business match-making session are not the first occasion where businessmen from the two countries met. In the spring this year the BCCI welcomed a Sri Lankan delegation who came to Belarus on a fact-finding visit. Taking part in the events are representatives of 26 companies from Sri Lanka, as well as heads and top managers of 76 big Belarusian companies.
In 2012 the trade between Belarus and Sri Lanka was estimated at $ 46.2 million, up by 16% compared to the previous year. Belarus’ export to this country stood at $ 35.2 million or 81.2% as against 2011. The export made up $ 82,600 if potash fertilisers, oil and oil products are excluded. In 2012 Belarus registered a trade surplus of $24.1 million.
