Business ties between Lanka, Italy benefits greatly through SLItBC

The 14th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Italy Business Council (SLItBC) was held at the Taj Samudra Colombo. The Council is one bilateral business councils that function under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Fabrizio Pio Arpea, Ambassador, Embassy of Italy and Chief Guest in his speech said that Business Relationships between Sri Lanka and Italy has benefited greatly through the Sri Lanka Italy Business Council since its establishment and is an excellent success story.

Sri Lanka Italy Business Council new members

SLItBC has been the catalyst for a tenfold increase in trade between the two countries. It was also mentioned that against all odds 2012 has been an important year for Italy as a country especially in international trade and recording a trade balance surplus about 11mn. Since 2009 up to date exports have picked up drastically with positive growth rates.

The main sectors of exports which are machinery and equipment have accounted to over 27% of the total exports. The new economies are becoming increasingly important for the Italian investors and in particular the investments towards Asia as a whole grew from 4.6% to 6.7% in the period between 2008 to 2011. He also mentioned that he looks forward for future support of the council for various activities and also stated that the High Commission looks forward in supporting the council in all its activities.

Daya Rathnayake, CEO/Managing Director, Auusafrasia Designer Collection (Pvt) Ltd was elected to continue as the President of the Council for the year 2013/2014.

He mentioned that the incoming committee would focus attention in achieving its objectives such as encouraging joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Italy, conduct joint meetings with Italian business organizations in Sri Lanka and Italy and that the council will work closely with the Embassy of Italy in Sri Lanka and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome Italy.

Tania Polonnowita, Managing Director, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Pvt) Ltd and Rajah Abeyasinghe JP, Chief Executive Office, Allied Trading & Engineering (Pvt) Ltd were appointed as Vice Presidents respectively.

The following committee members were elected on to the committee of the Sri Lanka – Italy Business Council, Rajeev Aloysius, Joint Managing Director, The Autodrome PLC, Mahendra Jayasekera, Managing Director, Lanka Tiles PLC, Kiron Shenoy, Jt. Managing Director, Excel Global Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Sunil Pieris, Director, Jetwing Travels Private Limited, Sonali Liyanamana, Chief Operating Officer, Mackinnons American Express Travel, Ranjit Jayawardena, Managing Director, Ranmal International (Pvt) Ltd