• Russian export to Sri Lanka increased by 24% in 2018

• Trade tops US $ 400 million 

Sri Lanka - Russia Business Council (SLRBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 16th Annual General Meeting recently at the Russian Cultural Center. H. E. Yuri Borisovich Materiy, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The President of SLRBC, Mr. Priyantha Hapuarachchi, called the meeting to order by welcoming the distinguished guests and members. The President addressed the audience following the presentation of the Annual Report and Audited Accounts. His speech covered the objectives of the business council, a review of the activities undertaken during the course of the year and further discussed trade statistics. He also thanked those who had supported the council in all their endeavours.

The Chief Guest congratulated the new President and the Executive Committee in his speech, by pointing out that the Council has been proactive in promoting trade and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia since 2001.

Addressing the event, he stated that Russia views Sri Lanka as one of its key partners in South Asia. “As of 2018, Russian export to Sri Lanka had increased by 24 per cent in comparison with 2017 and bilateral trade reached 400 million US dollars,” Ambassador Materiy said. Speaking about tourism, he added that In 2018 more than 64,000 Russian tourists visited the Island.

“As far as the warning to Russian tourists not to visit Sri Lanka due to the terrorist attack on April 21, I want to inform you that the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a new Press-release on August 26 stating only that after lifting the emergency the tourists while visiting Sri Lanka shall be vigilant and cautious. Thus no restrictions are imposed,” he said.

Russia, which continues to be the largest buyer of Ceylon Tea, is looking forward to increase the volume and diversity of Sri Lankan exports to Russia. The ambassador further mentioned that the global tea promotion campaign organized by the Government of Sri Lanka will start in Moscow on the 25th of September, this year.

He also informed the guests about the Fifth Small Business Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, which is scheduled for the 26th and 27th of September, 2019, in Ufa, Russia. The ambassador believes that the forum would provide a good opportunity for their Sri Lankan partners to establish business links in Russia as well as other member-states of the SCO and BRICS.

The office bearers for the period of 2019/2020;

Buddika Liyanage, Managing Director, Avian Technologies Pvt Ltd., will be serving as the President, while  Kolitha Weerakoon, Director, Imperial Teas (Pvt) Ltd. and Shamindi Kumarasinghe, Head of Exports, Nature’s Beauty Creations Limited, will be serving as the Vice Presidents.

Niral Kadawatharatchie, Managing Director of Freight Links International (Pvt) Ltd., was elected  as the Treasurer.

Priyantha Hapuarachchi, Chief Financial Officer, South Asia Textile, Industries Lanka (pvt) Ltd., joined the committee in his capacity as the Immediate Past President.

As for the SLRBC Committee 2019/2020;

Andrew the Travel Company (Pvt) Ltd., Maharaja Organisation Projects (Pvt) Ltd., MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., Regency Teas (Pvt) Ltd., Rhino Roofing Products Limited., Spillburg Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., Salota International (Pvt) Ltd., MOS Lanka Investments (Pvt) Ltd. and Unitraders (Pvt) Ltd. were elected for the committee.