First Northern Ireland business mission here

Thirteen companies and representatives from two universities are taking part in the first business mission from Northern Ireland to Sri Lanka.

Members of the Invest Northern Ireland (INI) delegation will be exploring business opportunities with Sri Lankan companies and government officials in Colombo from April 2 to 5. Most of the companies and the two universities are new to Sri Lanka and are keen to develop long-term relationships in their respective sectors.

British High Commission Trade and Investment Head Janet Ford who recently visited Belfast to promote opportunities in Sri Lanka to UK companies, said, “There is currently a substantial amount of UK business interest in Sri Lanka, given the Government of Sri Lanka’s plans for regeneration of the economy and the outlook for further growth across all major business sectors. This first trade mission from Belfast is evidence of that. “

INI’s Asia team Head Noel Johnston, commenting on the mission, said, “We are keen to develop relationships with Sri Lanka across a range of business activities including trade, technology transfer and partnerships.

One of Northern Ireland’s most successful IT companies, Aepona, already has an existing investment in Sri Lanka, tapping into Sri Lanka’s growing technology talent pool to support its Northern Ireland operations and help it compete in international markets.

There are clearly mutual business opportunities, and we are keen to build on those relationships as Sri Lanka invests in modernising its economy.”