SRI Lanka has embarked on an initiative to highlight business opportunities in the country to Malaysia.
Themed “Spice Route Sri Lanka – Flavours That Connect”, the event is organised by Sri Lanka-Malaysia Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Malaysia-Sri Lanka business chambers under the patronage of Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia.
The event will comprise a business forum, Sri Lankan street food carnival, business-to-business matchmaking sessions, gala dinner and networking dinner featuring Sri Lankan cuisine, culture and entertainment.
It will be held over two days at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), Kuala Lumpur, mid-July.
Sri Lanka-Malaysia Business Council immediate past president MHKM Hameez said the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has been in existence for 87 years with the Malaysian chapter established 35 years ago.
According to Hameez, Sri Lanka now has a stable government with more robust economic policies that support exporters.
“We will have a series of events aligned with trade opportunities.
“We also want to host Malaysian businesses.
“The Invest and Trade Economic Forum, alongside other events, will take place at Mitec in mid-July,” he said.
He added that about 75 entrepreneurs and exporters from Sri Lanka would attend the event.
Sri Lanka is well-known for its tourism attractions, spices and gemstones.
“We are popular worldwide for our blue sapphire as well as Ayurvedic products.
“Sri Lanka is famous for its seafood, including mud crab.
“Ceylon tea is widely consumed, including in Malaysia,” Hameez said.
Women-based startup businesses are also growing in Sri Lanka and have strong potential, he added.
Hameez noted that Sri Lanka was the first country to have a female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1960.
Similar to Malaysia, Sri Lanka also offers diverse tourism attractions, he said.
“The length of the country is about 600km and the width is 325km.
“We have 373 waterfalls and two world-famous surfing spots, Arugam Bay and Mirissa.”
Sri Lanka also has eight Unesco World Heritage Sites: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Galle, Dambulla, Kandy, Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Central Highlands.
Sri Lanka’s acting High Commissioner to Malaysia MI Mohamed Rizvi said the country had recovered from its economic crisis and was now open to investment.
“With the new government, we have anti-corruption measures in place and no brokers are involved.
“Investors only need to go through the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka – Investment Opportunities,” he said.
