Success for Sri Lanka Motor Vehicle Summit in Tokyo

Tuesday, 20 December 2011 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Motor Vehicle Summit organised for the first time in Tokyo by the Sri Lanka Business Council of Japan (SLBCJ), jointly with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo concluded last week.

The summit attracted the attention of leading motor traders in Japan and Sri Lanka. Over 100 motor traders participated, which included 26 participants from Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, was the Chief Guest at the seminar held on 11 December at Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo.

During his speech, the Ambassador touched upon the historical and the current friendly relations between our two nations and highlighted the objectives of having this seminar to facilitate the export of high quality Japanese vehicles to Sri Lanka at competitive prices.

He also stressed on the necessity of increased attention to import eco- friendly (green) cars to preserve environment and the need for reduction in price in order to be competitive with European vehicles due to appreciation of the Japanese Yen.

He further added that this kind of dialogue needed to be continued bi-annually or at least annually, so that the end results would benefit all concerned including customers in Sri Lanka.

He also indicated the importance of the participation of senior government officials from the Department of Fiscal Policy, Department of Customs, Import and Export Control Department, the Department of Motor Traffic, etc., and regretted that they could not attend in spite of all arrangements made.

The seminar consisted of informative presentations by Jagath Ramanayake, President of the SLBCJ, the CEO of the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center, President of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA), M. Somasena, First Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy, Yoga Perera, President of the Motor Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) and the Vice Chairman of USS Car Auctions Co. Ltd (a member of the SLBCJ), followed by a panel discussion.

During this Panel Discussion, there were a number of questions posed broadly on the importation of used hybrid cars to Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka’s vehicle import duties, institutional functions, Customs valuation, the role of the VIASL, etc.

The Sri Lankan delegation led by the President of the VIASL consisted of 26 members from the leading vehicle and spare part importers in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan delegation was given the opportunity to visit the 42nd Japan Motor Show at Tokyo Big Site, Nissan car and engine manufacturing plants, car auctions and engage in B2B meetings with Japanese car traders.