BSLCC wooing UK Tamil diaspora

UK delegation for Expo 2012:

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The newly formed British Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce (BSLCC) is looking at wooing re introducing Sri Lanka as an investment destination mainly to the Tamil diaspora based in the UK. Chairman BSLCC, Jayampathi Perera based in the UK speaking to ‘Daily News Business’ said that over 65% of expatriate businessmen in London are of Tamil origin and they are keen to reinvest in Sri Lanka especially in the North East. “We are looking at linking with them,” he said.

They are keen on the health, education, real estate and leisure sectors,” he said. Setting up of BPO centres is another area of business.

He said that due to the 30-year old conflict most of these Tamil origin entrepreneurs have invested in other countries and with peace and the healthy economic and political climate they are keen to revisit Sri Lanka.

Perera also said that he would visit Jaffna and meet with the members of the Yalpanam Chamber of Commerce and other positive businessmen to get an insight of investment opportunities to make a bridge of opportunity.

He said that in addition he would once again present Sri Lanka to British investors as well as those who are keen to get involved in major infrastructure projects not only in the North and the East but in other areas as well.

Perera said he also had a successful dialogue with the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce CEO, Assmi Thasim last week. “We will be presenting opportunities available in both the Hambantota Port and the Airport. “Opportunities in the proposed international airport seem very big,” he said.

“I was surprised to see the massive development taking place in Hambantota and happy to note about its success. It is shaping out to be one of the most planned cities in the region,” he added. He said that despite the unfortunate situation in Tangalle, hotels in Hambantota were fully occupied. “Incidents of this nature happen all over the world but that is not an excuse that it should happen in Sri Lanka,” he said.

He said that Britain is a very important market for tourism in Sri Lanka and authorities must ensure that a repetition of last week’s unfortunate incident won’t happen again.”

BSLCC also disclosed plans to bring in a high powered business delegation from the UK for the Expo exhibition taking place in Colombo next March.

The UK based entrepreneurs would also look at opportunities in agriculture, real estate, and value addition in tea. “I am hoping to take this delegation to Hambantota as well,” he said.

He said that back in the UK they are all feeling the biggest economic recession in 36 years and 2012 would intensify it.

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