Aeroflot to fly to Colombo again

Indunil Hewage

Russian Air Company, Aeroflot intends to recommence its regular flights from Moscow to Colombo from November 2. Sri Lanka's Russian Ambassador Vladimir P Mikhaylov said the launching of Aeroflot flights to Sri Lanka will establish favourable conditions for passenger and cargo operations between the two countries and Russia is committed to further strengthen the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

"Significant growth of Russian tourists visiting Sri Lanka is visible in the recent past. In 2010, it was about 18,000, which is three times higher than in 2006.

During the first eight months of 2011, the number increased 28% in comparison with the same period of 2010. The tendency will remain with the launch of SriLankan Airlines service to Moscow and Aeroflot airlines service to be launched in November," Mikhaylov said.

In addition, the Russian private sector considers the possibility of investing in infrastructure, highways, railway and irrigation systems.

More Russian businessmen visit Colombo now for various intentional exhibitions being held here and Sri Lankan businessmen who visit trade and industry exhibitions and trade fairs in Russia has also grown.

"As for the bilateral trade, its volume is not too big. In 2010, bilateral trade between Russia and Sri Lanka recorded 145.2 % growth to US $ 423 million, of which US $ 308.5 million being the Sri Lankan export to Russia and US $ 114.5 million Russian exports to Sri Lanka.

However, it is a timely need for Lankan companies to make concrete commercial proposals in a bid attract potential Russian companies to Sri Lanka.

However, despite the global economic recession, trade between our countries could grow significantly by means of high technology items to Sri Lanka," Mikhaylov said.