Ireland to expand trade, investments here

by Ramani Kangaraarchchi

The European Chamber has contacted the Irish Embassy in New Delhi to enhance trade and investments between Sri Lanka and Ireland.

The Irish Ambassador to India , H.E.Kieran Dowling, met the ECCSL President Koenraad Pringiers and General Manager Sujeevan Perera on a visit to Sri Lanka to discuss ways of enhancing future trade and investment links between the two countries. Sujeevan Perera said that Ireland has established itself as Europe's high growth economy.

Between 1993 and 1998 it grew by 51% almost three times as strongly as the rest of the industrial world. The Irish economy has been characterised by high growth rates, low inflation, significant balance of payments surpluses and sound public finances. Ireland's strong economic performance is expected to continue in the medium term, aided by partnership programs between the governments, trade unions and employers on the broad direction of economic and social policy.

According to statistics provided by Irish Embassy in India Sri Lanka has imported ten items of food, pharmaceuticals and data processing machines worth Euro 14.3 million from Ireland in 2004 while Sri Lanka has exported Euro 20.3 million worth of goods to Ireland which includes cocoa, clothing, footwear and wood items.

Sri Lanka is now looking at the possibilities of holding an educational fair as there is a very good potential for educational opportunities like in UK.