Chamber forms Lanka - Maldives Business Council

Hathoon Sheriffdeen

TRADE: Maldives is a very important trading partner of Sri Lanka, the third largest business partner in the region. The value of trade between Sri Lanka and Maldives is around US $ 54 million, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Prof. G.L Peiris said at the inaugural meeting of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council.

He said both countries should release tariffs on trade between the countries. The Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Maldives, Mohamed Jaleel, said Maldives is already a free trade zone. Through this the Sri Lanka- Maldives Business Council can challenge the country’s economic barriers.

The capacity of the cargo facilities should increase to compliment both economies. For this the Export Development and International Trade Ministry has made some arrangements with SriLankan Airlines, Prof. G.L Peiris said.

He said Sri Lanka has enough resources to develop the fruit and vegetable cultivation, which Maldives does not have. We also have skilled population seeking employment opportunities.

“We can utilise these resources to develop a warm relationship between the countries and develop both counties with the help of this Business Council.”

This is the 19th Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.