CNCI seminar

The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) has organized a seminar and presentation on free trade agreements with India / Pakistan / SAARC countries, SAFTA and APTA agreements, market access to the Asian region and also highlighting the facilities to Sri Lankan industry sector enterprises.

The seminar presentation will be held today at the Mahaweli Center Auditorium , Colombo 7 and will commence at 9.00 am .

The importance of the Sri Lankan manufacturing / industry service sector enterprises to gain market penetration to the available and untapped markets in the Asian region have become a major requirement and the desirability is felt more than ever. In an era where market accessibility to many Western and Arabian regions has become a nightmare due to various ongoing conflicts and disturbances, the Sri Lankan industry and manufacturers have felt that they should look for other opportunities.

As such the inter trade arrangements, transfer of goods within the SAARC region and also in the Asian continent has become a major requirement. Earning valuable foreign exchange can be initiated not only by going after the Western or European markets but also by gaining accessibility to the Asian region with a vast potential. During the seminar presentation , the existing Free Trade agreements(FTA) with India , Pakistan and all countries of the SAARC region will be highlighted.

The negative product ranges , the Sri Lankan products which could be exported , the special duty / tariff concessions will be discussed with specific emphasis to well expanded markets India and Pakistan . Apart from the SAARC region , the countries which include under the South Asian Free Trade agreements( SAPTA) and also the countries counted under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement ( APTA ), such as China , Laos and South Korea, which will provide access to those markets also will be highlighted.

The Secretary General and CEO of the CNCI Kumara Kandalama said that the specific objective of initiating a unique seminar presentation by the Chamber on these exclusive topics will be to assist the Sri Lankan industry and manufacturing services sector and to provide them the crucial information and data about the existing specific trade agreements and the available opportunities for them to gain access to Asian region markets for future advancement.

The considerations of the Indian and Pakistan High Commissions on intra trade arrangements, the sensitive details in the FTA , positive and negative product range , special duty / tariff concessions , market accessibility to China , Laos and South Korea, the specific facilities, marketing information and promotions granted by the Department of Commerce , the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the services available through the Trade Commissioners overseas under the Ministry of External Affairs will be highlighted.

The Commercial Attachés of the Indian and Pakistan High Commissions in Sri Lanka , Director General of Commerce , Director General of the Economic Affairs Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Senior Directors of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board are expected to deliver presentations.

While providing a forum to listen to some of the senior authorities in Sri Lanka on international / Asian Trade, the participants will also have an opportunity to interact and to enjoy a closer and friendly dialog with them to find solutions for specific issues.