The Sri Lanka - Greater Mekong Business Council (SLGMBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) held its 11th Annual General Meeting recently at the Hilton Residences, Colombo 02.
Ambassador of Vietnam Ho Thi Thanh Truc, Arthit Prasartkul, Minister Counselor of Royal Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka graced the event as the Chief Guests. President of the Council S.M.D. Suriyakumara stated; “We are facing an economic crisis in Sri Lanka resulting in shortage of basic requirements like food, medicine, gas etc. We are experiencing this for the first time even though there are many countries that have experienced a similar economic crisis in the past and overcame those situations.”
“We should make this an opportunity as citizens and as a whole nation to overcome this crisis. Many Sri Lankans are getting used to changing their lifestyle and finding new ways of living and earning. We have imported and exported 7.5 million USD and 2.3 million USD worth of goods from Myanmar respectively. We have also imported and exported 397 million USD and 51.6 million USD worth of goods from Thailand. Furthermore, we have exported and imported goods worth 397 million USD and 62.88 million USD from Vietnam. According to the figures, from Cambodia, we have imported 2.84 million USD and exported 3.14 million USD worth of goods. From Laos, we have imported 1.43 million USD and exported 0.14 million USD worth of goods.”
While congratulating the newly appointed Committee, Ho Thi Thanh Truc, Ambassador of Vietnam in Sri Lanka said, “I am confident that your valuable contribution will help this Council and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce achieve their future goals in the coming years. Speaking about Vietnam, the implementation of the Doi Moi economic reform in 1986 was a critical factor in propelling the country onto a remarkable development path. Today, Vietnam’s economy is a vibrant and dynamic one in the Asia-Pacific region, creating favorable conditions for both domestic and international businesses to thrive. Vietnam has numerous renewable energy potentials, including wind power, solar power and thermal power.”
Ho Thi Thanh Truc, stated further; “I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the Sri Lanka Greater Mekong Business Council and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding assistance in assisting local businesses to compete in domestic and international markets.”
Minister Counselor of Royal Thai Embassy Arthit Prasartkul mentioned that he commends the activities done by the Sri Lanka - Greater Mekong Business Council during the past year and invite the audience to take note of the event in which Poj Harnpol, the Ambassador of Thailand, gave a keynote address on Investment and Trade Opportunities in Thailand in March 2022. Maliban Bio Ventures (Pvt) Ltd Chief Executive Officer S.M.D. Suriyakumara was elected as the President of the Council while Nimal Ratnayake, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC, Sirimal Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of Astron Ltd and Jude Fernando, Director of Rhino Roofing Products Ltd elected as Vice Presidents. Ranil Seneviratne, Director, Ranfer Teas (Pvt) Ltd will serve as the Immediate Past President for the period 2022 - 2023.
The Committee appointed will be represented by the MAC Holdings Pvt Ltd, Advantis Projects and Engineering Pvt Ltd, Aitken Spence Travels Pvt Ltd, Spillburg Holdings Pvt Ltdand Capitol Developers Ltd.
Add new comment