German-Sri Lankan business relations growing steadily says German envoy in Sri Lanka
Chief Delegate of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri lanka), Andreas Hergenroether has said that business relations between the two countries are growing steadily and that Sri Lankan exports to Germany have grown by 9.2% during the first half of this year.
The Ambassador has made this observation at the ‘Top German Brands in Sri Lanka,’ which is an event organised by AHK Sri Lanka with the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Nearly 150 German brands were represented at the sixth edition of the event.
The event saw 147 German Brands being recognised for their valuable contribution which was held under the patronage of Sri Lanka’s Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama, German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jörn Rohde and AHK Sri Lanka Chief Delegate Andreas Hergenroether.
As the official representative of German business, Andreas Hergenroether has said at the event that they were committed to creating a level playing field, transparency, fair and free trade.
“German-Sri Lankan business relations are growing steadily. While Sri Lankan exports to Germany grew by 9.2% during the first half of this year, German exports to Sri Lanka rose by 4%. We are confident that there are a lot of opportunities of cooperation in the future,” he has been quoted as saying.
He has noted that 50% of the companies had stated the Sri Lankan economy will remain unchanged or improve in its latest business survey conducted.
“Regarding their perspective industries, German companies in Sri Lanka evaluated the outlook more positively. About 75% stated that their industry will stay unchanged or improve, about 44% think prospects for their industry will improve,” Hergenroether has said.
Hergenroether has further noted that 147 German brands participate in the Top German Brands in Sri Lanka 2019 initiative, reflects the growing interest of German companies to be strategic partners of their Sri Lankan counterparts.
“German products stand for highest quality standards and outstanding innovation, German businessmen for fair business, reliability and long-term partnership,” he has added.
For 2020, AHK Sri Lanka is to organise a German business delegation, conference and business to business meetings in Colombo focused on the field of sustainable mobility from 27 to 30 January.
OSL take:
The steady growth recorded in business relations between Sri Lanka and Germany is indicative of the the strong bilateral links as well as trade ties by Sri Lanka with other foreign countries. Sri Lanka is party to many trade agreements as well as enjoys trade concessions with several foreign countries. All these are indicative of the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. The island’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the ease of doing business environment in the country have made it an attractive business destination in the South Asian region.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/23092019/Z_1 |