‘Lanka endowed with a unique trade opportunity’

Jayantha de Silva

Sri Lanka is endowed with a unique trade opportunity as every ship to Middle- East passes the Hambantota Harbour said, Thailand’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Poldej Worachat recently.

He was speaking at the Sri Lanka- Thailand –Vietnam tripartite business interactive session titled ‘Greater Mekong River Business Council’ which aims to establish a close rapport with the tri nations business community.

Vietnam Ambassador Tuan also participated .

Sri Lanaka is the rising star of South Asia. There is a 20 percent increase in trade volumes between the two countries.

He noted that there were only about 80 tariff free products between the two countries.

Thailand is the world leader in natural rubber. Apart from that Thailand is also the worlds leading producer of agro based products. Auto parts manufacturing , textiles were the mainstay in industries in Thailand.

Rambuttan a native fruit to both countries and Thailand is ready to impart knowledge on Rambuttan caning. He outlined the investment procedures in that country and described the two countries as one family with historic religious links.

Prof J B Dissanayake former ambassador to Thailand said that Sri Lanka should strive to promote the island as a tourists destination in Thailand.

With that end in view all promotion literature should be in Thai instead in English as very small percentage of Thais speak English he stressed.