|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 6 August 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
FCCISL hosts US Congressional delegation The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka played host to the key US delegation consisting of Republican Congressmen Jerry Weller from Illinois and Scott Garrett from New Jersey. Congressman Weller serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and is the co-chair of the Sri Lanka Caucus, while Congressman Garrett serves on the House Financial & Budget Committee. Accompanying the Congressmen were Mrs. Garrett, Legislative Director to Congressman Weller. Allen Femle, Ambassador Ronald J. Sonni, President of Sandler, Travis and Rosenburg PA and Ms. Nicole Bivens Collmson. Vice President of ST& R PA Sri Lanka's Ambassador in the US Devinda Subasinghe and Trade Commissioner Saman Udagedara were also in Sri Lanka during the visit, a media release says. The delegation arrived on Sunday on the invitation of the FCCISL and the event was coordinated with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington and the US Embassy in Colombo. During the five days visit the delegation met with HE the President, the Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition, Minister of Enterprise Development and Constitutional Affairs G. L. Peiris, Minister of Trade and Commerce, Hon. Ravi Karunanayake and several other key ministers and parliamentarians. FCCISL, President Nihal Abeysekera, explaining the objective of the visit said that the "USA is the largest import of Sri Lanka's apparels which employees over one million workers. We also have excellent trade relations with the USA in the IT and other service and product sectors. Given Sri Lanka's desire to establish a free trade agreement with the USA, the business community led by the FCCISL though it best to let top decision-makers from the US see for themselves the ground realities and the potential of our nation. The Congressional delegation were able to meet with business and political leaders and form their own opinions about what we can offer and how best the USA can be of further assistance to us in the post conflict scenario of regaining Sri Lanka. Members of the FCCISL were delighted to host the delegation. We are sure that the goodwill and bonds of friendship we established will stand Sri Lanka in good stead for the future." The delegation also met with members of the Joint Apparel Association Forum, Information & Communications Technology (ICT) sector representatives, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and members of the American Chamber in Sri Lanka Highlights of the events including visits to an apparel factory, Kandy and the cultural triangle. The FCCISL hosted a reception and dinner at the Hilton, Colombo to enable its members and invitees to interact with the visiting delegation. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
