Sri Lankan businesses will have new avenues to access the Italian market and establish commercial partnerships following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Unioncamere, the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Handicraft and Agriculture. The agreement establishes a framework for direct engagement between the business communities of the two countries, with a focus on trade promotion, investment opportunities and business collaboration.

The signing took place at Unioncamere headquarters in Piazza Sallustio, Italy, with representatives of Unioncamere and the Italian diplomatic mission in attendance. Representatives of the Ceylon Chamber, the Sri Lanka–Italy Business Council (SLITBC) and the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission joined the ceremony virtually from Sri Lanka.

Representing Unioncamere were Mr. Andrea Prete, President, and Mr. Pietro Infante, Internationalization Manager. The Sri Lankan participants included H.E. Satya Rodrigo, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Italy, Mr. Dhawood Amanullan, Minister and Head of Chancellery at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Rome, H.E. Damiano Francovigh, Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka, Mr. Shiran Fernando, Secretary General and CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Dushy Jayaweera, President of SLITBC. Mr. Daminda Mulgama, Immediate Past President of SLITBC also joined the ceremony virtually, alongside other representatives of both institutions.

The agreement provides a direct institutional link to Italy’s extensive chamber network, creating opportunities for Sri Lankan companies to identify business partners, explore market opportunities and establish commercial relationships. Planned areas of cooperation include business delegations, B2B matchmaking, knowledge exchange and the promotion of trade and investment.

The agreement follows more than a year of engagement initiated by Mr. Daminda Mulgama, Immediate Past President of the Sri Lanka–Italy Business Council, who pursued discussions with Unioncamere over more than a year, including a visit to its headquarters in Italy. 

Through the SLITBC, the Ceylon Chamber will work to translate the agreement into greater business engagement, opening further avenues for Sri Lankan companies to connect with Italian counterparts and explore opportunities in the Italian market.