The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently hosted Dharmapala Weerakkody, Director General for South Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner designated to Bangladesh at its premises. The aim of the meeting was to delve into bilateral trade and investment prospects between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
In his opening remarks, National Chamber President Deepal Nelson warmly welcomed the High Commissioner, underscoring the significance of his presence in engaging with business leaders. The session saw participation from the National Chamber’s office bearers, Andre Fernando (President of Sri Lanka Bangladesh Business Co-operation Council), and various business leaders. Weerakkody offered a comprehensive overview of Bangladesh’s business environment, highlighting substantial opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses, particularly in industrial exports. This gathering provided a platform for Sri Lankan organizations already operating in Bangladesh to explore expansion prospects and discuss challenges in trade activities. Discussions covered tariff barriers, visa issues, and the need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost Sri Lankan exports to Bangladesh. Weerakkody assured attendees of his commitment to addressing their concerns, emphasizing the importance of closer economic ties between the two nations.
Business community representatives expressed appreciation for the opportunity to directly engage with the High Commissioner and seek practical solutions to their trade-related obstacles, facilitated by the National Chamber’s initiative.