(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, met with Presidents, Secretaries General, senior officials and business leaders representing a large number of export oriented organizations and chambers of commerce on 12 October, 2022 to discuss and to expound the opportunities and potential for exporters as well as the challenges that they confront in exporting goods and services of Sri Lanka, amongst others. Foreign Secretary Ambassador Aruni Wijewardane and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the discussion at the meeting with Minister Ali Sabry.
This meeting with the private sector corporates and chambers was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to obtain views, ideas and propositions on the most efficacious courses of action that the Ministry could assist and facilitate the business community to develop their business endeavors and boost exports. Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the Ministry is committed to cooperate with the private sector, chambers and to support their business endeavors, thus accruing much needed economic advancement and provide assistance to the export sector of the country. He assured that all Missions which are under the purview of the Ministry, would assist and facilitate the private and corporate sector in realizing their economic and trade objectives and continue to engage professionally with the private sector in connecting them to openings overseas.
Participating organizations and chambers who expressed their views added that the successful conclusion of free trade agreements (FTAs) with key countries should be considered as a priority of the Foreign Ministry, at this juncture, in order to aggrandize and boost exports. They also expressed that the Government should adopt a well-structured mechanism to address issues arising from negative media coverage, thus enhancing the image and profile of the country.
The meeting was attended by over 20 leading chambers of commerce and export oriented organizations including the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sri Lanka Exporter’s Association, Tea Trader’s Association and Sri Lanka Apparel Exports Association, Joint Apparel Association Forum, amongst others.
