The Sri Lanka - France Business Forum with the participation of 8 Sri Lankan companies and over 20 French participants was held on 11th October 2017 at the French Business Confederation - MEDEF International in Paris. The event was co-organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France, Export Development Board and Sri Lanka-France Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The Forum was graced by Sujeewa Senasinghe, State Minister of International Trade of Sri Lanka, Buddhi Athauda, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France, Mrs. Jeevani Siriwardena, Director General of Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Dr. Asanka Ratnayake, President, Sri Lanka - France Business Council, Dr. Anil Perera, Deputy Director, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Ms. Chandima Abeyrathna, First Secretary (Commercial) Embassy of Si Lanka in France, Guy Sidos, Chairman and CEO of VICAT and Ms. Geraldine Lemble, Director/MEDEF. Ambassador Athauda, said that over US$ 5 billion worth of potential opportunities are available between Sri Lanka and France with recent economic growth and new policy changes in Sri Lanka.
Minister Senasinghe said that Sri Lanka is currently experiencing strong economic growth compared to the past few years and stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships between France and Sri Lanka.
He said that EU GSP+ will definitely lead to increased imports in the Apparel and Fishery products sectors to the French market.
Minister Senasinghe had bilateral meetings with Philippe Gautier, CEO of MEDEF International and Ms. Nelly Rodi, delegate of President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) - Paris. CCI- Paris offered their fullest support to organize a Forum and link the businessmen between the two countries with the collaboration of other French trade promotional institutions for mutual benefit of the two countries.