Ranjit Jayewardene elected President :

Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council AGM

The 10th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council was held recently.

The Council, which focuses on the objectives of 'promoting investment, trade and joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Italy', is one of the twenty bilateral business councils that function under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The groundwork for the formation of the Council was laid by a proposal made by the then-Ambassador of Italy in Sri Lanka Maurizio Teucci to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in 1997.

The chief guest Ambassador of Italy Pio Mariani, said that Sri Lanka was now in a position to develop and make a place for herself in the world and the approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan meant that the international arena was looking at Sri Lanka with positive eyes.

Managing Director, Ranmal International (Pvt) Ltd Ranjit Jayewardene was elected as President of the Council for 2009-2010.

He said that the incoming Committee would encourage joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Italy, exchange information on trade and investment, conduct joint meetings with Italian business organizations in Sri Lanka and Italy and will serve as a recognized representative of the business sector interests in Sri Lanka.

Aus 'Afrasia Design Tiles Managing Director Daya Ratnayake and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Pvt) Ltd Managing Director Tania Polonnowita were appointed Vice Presidents.