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| Tuesday, 30 March 2004 |
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UK-SLBC to develop fruitful business ties by Shirajiv Sirimane The newly formed UK-Sri Lanka Business Council (UK-SLBC) held its first networking meeting with the participation of the majority of members recently at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London. The UK-SLBC Chairman said that the Council members have already received a large number of inquiries from many potential exporters and joint venture partners in the industrial sectors related to Agriculture Food Processing, Information Technology, Real Estate and Tourism. "In fact, several Council members have already visited Colombo to pursue such opportunities and have conducted successful discussions with potential partners," he said. The main aim of this networking session was to present key trade and investment opportunities to UK investors. According to the Council's current chairman Jayampathi Perera a delegation of Council members, visited the INTRAD exhibition and investor forum held end November 2003. "The aim of the networking meeting was to present these facts to investors," he said. In addition to external opportunities, the session also provided an ideal opportunity for the Council members to discuss possible business opportunities among the membership itself. He said that the Council was formed two years ago mainly to attain the prime objective of developing fruitful business relationships between Sri Lanka and the UK. Its membership comprises a number of leading Sri Lankan organisations and some prominent British companies. Towards retaining the gained momentum in 2004 as well, UK-SLBC hopes to conduct further seminars, networking sessions and social activities in order to promote its ambitious agenda in the UK. Commenting on the Council's ongoing activities, the chairman expressed his pleasure at the invaluable contribution and support extended by the Sri Lankan organisations such as The National Chamber of Commerce and the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka towards provision of lucrative business opportunities for council members. A key idea which emerged during the concluded networking session, is the absolute necessity of a suitable political and economic environment in order to embark on small and medium scale investment opportunities in the near future, and attracting new members in the UK and Sri Lanka. Commenting on the prevailing economic and political situation in Sri Lanka, Perera said that UK-SLBC welcomes the proposed election in comparison with the previous political deadlock between the two major political parties. He said that the election may provide the impetus towards promoting the Council's activities and added that the UK-SLBC will be very happy to work with any democratically elected government of Sri Lanka. In addition, the UK-SLBC is deeply committed to support Sri Lankan's industry including the provision of development opportunities for the rural masses. |
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