The Sri Lanka-Greater Mekong Business Council (SLGMBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a productive meeting with the Thai Government Delegation representing the Department of Trade Negotiations of Thailand.
The meeting aimed to foster business collaboration between Sri Lanka and Thailand and provide valuable insights into trade opportunities and investment prospects in both countries.
Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, Poj Harnpol, Executive Director of the Bureau of Asia, Africa, and Middle East Department of Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, Mrs. Aumaporn Futrakul, President of the Sri Lankan Association Thailand (SLAT), Sanjeewa Wickramasuriya, President of the SLGMBC, S.M.D. Suriyakumara and representatives of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce (TSLCC) were present.
The primary objective of the meeting was to equip the Sri Lankan business community based in Thailand with updated information on conducting business in Sri Lanka, while also fostering enhanced understanding of the opportunities for bilateral trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Mrs. Futrakul shared valuable insights into Thailand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) strategy. Referencing the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and Sri Lanka, she expressed confidence that it would enhance Thailand’s investment in Sri Lanka in various sectors such as construction, infrastructure, agro-industry, fishery, gems and jewellery, tourism and related services industry, while providing Sri Lankan industries and consumers with enhanced access to Thailand’s market such as automotive, machineries, electronics, appliances, sugar and plastics.
Director, PPP Advisory and Deals Strategy of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mrs. Ruvini Fernando outlined the opportunities for collaboration between Sri Lanka and Thailand, highlighting key sectors and investment possibilities.