Thai Ambassador hopeful for enhanced bilateral trade ties

“We are an island nation and without bilateral trade we cannot survive,” said chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Mahen Dayananda during a courtesy call paid to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce by Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Thinakorn Kanasuta recently.

Ambassador Kanasuta expressed his desire to promote better trade between the two countries and indicated his hope that Thai businessmen would be encouraged to establish business links with Sri Lankan counterparts and vice versa.

The Ambassador also stated that the Royal Thai Embassy would work closely with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to explore new business opportunities for Thai and Sri Lankan businessmen.

He was briefed by Dayananda about incentives for prospective Thai investors who are interested in investing in Sri Lanka, as Sri Lanka enjoys FTAs with India and Pakistan.

Senior Assistant Secretary General Lilakshini De Mel and Manager, PR of the Ceylon Chamber Commerce Apsara Kapukotuwa and First Secretary, Royal Thai Embassy Racha Aribarg, were also present at this meeting.

The discussions centered on how best to make use of already existing close and cordial cultural links in order to strengthen bilateral trade ties.

Gems and rubber are among the key products exported to Thailand while Sri Lanka imports woven fabrics, sprats, sugar and cement from Thailand. The total trade amount between the two countries is approximately 300 million US dollars per year.