India, Sri Lanka CEOs meet in Colombo to deepen ties
Daily FT: Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha has participated in the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce organised CEOs Roundtable. It witnessed an insightful discussion on forging new pathways for business collaboration between India and Sri Lanka.
The meeting was part of the program for the high-level business delegation from the CII comprising around 15 members and led by ITC Chairman and Managing Director and CII Immediate Past President Sanjiv Puri. The visit until 2 July, is taking place in continuation to the high-level business forum organised during the State visit of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The delegation called on Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya and Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody and today a courtesy call on President Disanayake is scheduled along with engagement with senior leadership and Ministers of the Government, the Board of Investment, and key members of the Sri Lankan business community.
The visit highlights the commitment of apex Indian chambers of commerce such as the CII to deepen existing economic ties, promote investment-led partnerships. and explore new avenues for collaboration between India and Sri Lanka.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka and India enjoy strong bilateral and trade ties that have been further strengthened through an operational free trade agreement (FTA). The trade ties between the two countries would witness a further strengthening when the proposed Economic and Technology Comprehensive Agreement (ETCA) is signed between Sri Lanka and India. The geographical proximity between the two countries has also resulted in many Indian businesses expanding operations to Sri Lanka while Sri Lankan businesses have also expanded operations through partnerships and joint ventures with Indian businesses/investors. The growth and profits recorded by Indian businesses already operating in Sri Lanka is indicative of the increasing business opportunities in Sri Lanka, especially given the country’s growth path and target of achieving regional hub status. With Sri Lanka’s growth path opening up many business/investment opportunities, Indian businesses/investors could further explore the expanding opportunities in all key economic sectors of Sri Lanka. The latest visit to Sri Lanka by a group of Indian CEOs exploring business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka is further indicative of the increasing business potential in Sri Lanka. Also, other foreign businesses/investors interested in doing business with India could look at setting up bases in Sri Lanka to engage with India using the preferential treatment enjoyed by Sri Lanka in India. This would provide a win-win opportunity for foreign businesses/investors to do business in Sri Lanka and India.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250702/Z_5 |