During his visit to Paris on Monday 14 th November 2011, Hon.Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen had discussions with Mr. Pierre- Antoine Gailly, President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Paris (CCIP) with a membership of over 400,000 large to small scale companies. Mr. Gailly is also the President of the Union of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abroad (UCCIFE). Hon. Minister also met Mr. Jean- Lou Blachier Vice President and other members of the Chamber.
During the discussion, the Hon. Minister emphasized the present conducive climate for trade and investment in Sri Lanka. He added that afterending a 30 year war, which hampered economic development, the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse’s initiative to accelerate the economy, has resulted in a steady growth island-wide from 2010.
“Sri Lanka Expo 2012” is a mega international level trade exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and is to be held in March 2012 in Colombo. The Minister noted that it has been 14 years since such an exhibition of large magnitude had been organized by the Government. More than 300 exhibitors will display their products and services including the world renowned Ceylon Sapphire , the Sri Lankan spices including the renowned Ceylon Cinnamon , services like IT/BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), fisheries products and exotic fruits and vegetables and new industries like boat building.
Hon. Minister further mentioned that the EU region which includes France is a very important market for Sri Lanka; more than 35% of our products are exported to the EU. France is the 6 th largest market in the EU region for Sri Lanka. The Government intends to consolidate such markets by improving bilateral trade between the two countries and through French investments in Sri Lanka.
Though Sri Lanka is a small market, it could be used as a gateway to enter into bigger markets such as India, Pakistan and other Asian countries, as “Sri Lanka has several trade agreements between such countries where one could obtain preferential access through value addition in Sri Lanka”, he further added.
Hon. Minister invited the CCIP President and Vice President to lead a delegation to Sri Lanka Expo 2012 and witness what Sri Lanka could offer in terms of Trade, Investment and Tourism for the mutual benefit of both countries. The CCIP President and Vice President were positive and agreed to provide their fullest support to organize a potential business delegation to Sri Lanka EXPO 2012; he also requested Sri Lanka to make use of testimonials of French companies who are already in Sri Lanka to promote the event.
Ms. Sujatha Weerakoon, Director General of Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Ms. Nirmali Samaratunga, President of Sri Lanka – France Business Council, Ms. Swarna Perera, Minister/Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France, Ms. Yoshitha Jayasuriya, Second Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France, Mr. Jean Poly, Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka, U.A. Razee, Second Secretary – Embassy of Sri Lanka in France and Ms. Theruni Sebastiampillai Commercial Assistant- Embassy of Sri Lanka in France participated at this meeting.
The Minister’s visit included meetings with State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Mr. Pierre Lellouche, President of ‘ Lafarge’ , Director of Commercial Development of ‘ Morpho SAGEM’ as well as the Director General of the Gem and Jewellery Association.
The Hon. Minister also met with the French Development Agency (FDA). Minister Bathiudeen expressed his appreciation for the assistance that the FDA has provided to Sri Lanka during the post- tsunami period, and he also stated that Sri Lanka will anticipate further cooperation with the FDA.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Paris
17th November 2011
