Indian High Commissioner visits HDCC
The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha visited the
Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) recently. This was the
High Commissioner’s second visit to the Chamber.
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Hambantota Chamber CEO, Azmi Thassim greeting the Indian
High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha |
During the visit the High Commissioner met with officials of HDCC,
Board of Directors, past Presidents and business community of the
Hambantota district.
The High Commissioner was accompanied by Consul General of India in
Hambantota K.N. Mohanakumaran. Discussions were very cordial and
fruitful and both parties agreed to work together to increase trade
between local business and India and to invest in joint projects in the
fields of industry, agriculture and tourism.
The High Commissioner stressed that, with the construction of the
harbour and the international airport in Hambantota, there is ample
scope for increasing the trade between local business and India. He
encouraged the business community of Hambantota to directly link with
Indian businesses not only for importing but also for exporting. He said
that this was the main purpose of opening the Consulate in Hambantota.
The High Commissioner pointed out that most of the items of export
from Sir Lanka are free from tax in India under the Free Trade
Agreement. He said that the Consulate and the High Commission would be
happy to facilitate linkages and also visits of local businessmen to
trade fairs in India to make direct business contacts. He said that the
Consulate would be happy to issue long term visas to genuine
businessmen. The High Commissioner advised the Chamber to make use of
the large number of scholarships offered by India under ITEC for
capacity building.
The High Commissioner mentioned that the business people of
Hambantota should get the maximum benefit from the developments.
The High Commissioner informed members of the Chamber that the Indian
Government is starting a special train for Buddhist pilgrims from Sri
Lanka. The train, named Dambadiva Vandana, will start from Chennai and
cover 15 pilgrimage sites in 21 days before returning to Chennai. The
test run started on November 3 and regular service is expected to start
in February.
They reiterated their commitment to work towards the strengthening of
the relationship between India and the people of the Southern Province
of Sri Lanka. |
