British-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce set up

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama, inaugurated the establishment of the British-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce at the London Sri Lanka High Commission, on September 16 in the presence of a large gathering of prominent UK businessmen, industrialists and financiers.

The Minister focused on the new era for Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the restoration of peace in the island and emerging opportunities open for UK business engagement in a multitude of sectors ranging from the leisure industry, power, infrastructure and manufacturing.

British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) President signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce CEO/Secretary General establishing the British - Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce which will be the catalyst for promotion and development of imports, exports, inward and outward investment links between individual British Chambers of Commerce, in the UK and Sri Lanka last week.

The British - Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, an initiative of the Mission Trade Division with the BCC and the CCC aims to provide a UK based network facility and higher image and profile to Sri Lanka's business interests primarily through the BCC which is the largest,multi-sectoral multi-size membership with the most extensive geographic spread among regional chambers in the UK and a network of chambers across the globe.

Presentations made by the Deputy High Commissioner, CCC Secretary - General and the De La Rue CEO in the UK considerably boosted the business confidence of the participants at this launch event of the British - Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce.

The Deputy Minister was invited by The Economist to speak at the prestigious Emerging Markets Summit on September 16, held annually by The Economist Group in London on the theme "The new risks: The world they see is not the world you see" to put the record straight on the Western - centric view of risks in emerging market countries such as Sri Lanka.

This was indeed a valuable opportunity to highlight Sri Lanka positively to a high - level international and UK business and financial sector comprising an elite core of high powered business interest.

In answer to questions on Sri Lanka's post - conflict situation, Dr Amunugama utilized the opportunity to emphasize the political and economic order, stability and potential for investment and industry arising after the cessation of violence in the country, the devolution of power arising out of the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the vista of opportunities for investment available across a wide spectrum of industry and finance.