The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Sirisena Amarasekara had a joint meeting with the senior executive officers of the Minara Chamber of Commerce of South Africa and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka to seek emerging business opportunities in the new normal of post-Covid. This was organized by the Commercial Division of the Mission on 12 August, 2021.
At the virtual meeting, the High Commissioner Amarasekara highlighted the importance of going beyond the traditional limits of the imports and exports trade. He stated that both countries should focus on joining the global value chain, rather than exploiting the markets or resources of the trade partners. Based on this view, Sri Lanka is ready strategically and technically to cater for the international hub operation/ logistic market at the Colombo and Hambantota ports. Since the Durban Seaport is well connected to the Indian sub-continent and most of the East Asian countries, the South African businesses can utilize the hub facility at the Colombo Port with efficient operation and attractive rates.
The Vice President and the former Deputy Mayor of Ethekwini Municipality (Durban) Fawzia Peer elaborated on the necessity of acquiring the technical competency and management skills to enhance the emerging small & medium scale businesses of South Africa. The President of the Chamber Solly Suleman encouraged the business communities of both countries to find new opportunities in the two countries and affirmed continuous support to the Sri Lankan businesses at the South African end.
Secretary-General of the National Chamber of Exporters Shiham Marikar and the Secretary-General of the Minara Chamber of Commerce Razak Jooma agreed to continue the B to B meeting series for the electronic, coconut and ayurvedic sectors in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Pretoria
27 August, 2021
