Sri Lanka Business Forum Held in Minsk Attracts Wide Attention
26th August 2013
The Sri Lanka Business Forum organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in the Russian Federation in collaboration with Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was held in the city of Minsk on 26 August coinciding with the visit of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa the President to Belarus.
The venue for this important event was the Main Library Hall in Minsk which housed more than 100 participants. Considered as an architectural masterpiece, the 23-storey library building is designed in the form of a diamond symbolizing the enormous value of knowledge that mankind has stored in books. The building is covered with glass panels and during the day all 24 sides sparkle like a real diamond. The library is also regarded as having the largest collection of Russian language books outside of Russia.
The business forum was ceremonially opened with speeches by Mr. Gamini Egodage, Chairman of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka and Mr. Myatilikov Chairman of the Belarussian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Kudasov made a presentation on the theme “Economic and Export Potential of Belarus Republic”. Mr. Kudasov pointed out the inherent strengths of the Belarusian economy and industries and how these strengths could be utilized by the business communities of the two countries.
Mr. Gamini Egodage, chairman of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka made remarks on the prospects of increasing the two way trade which at present is around US$ 15 million.
The lighting of the oil lamp was conducted with the arrival of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa the President and the H.E. Myasnikovich the Prime Minister of Republic of Belarus.
The Prime Minister of the Belarus Hon. Myasnikovich stated his appreciation in being given the opportunity to participate in the event and pointed out the need for Belarus business community to engage more with the developing Asian nations.
During his keynote address President Rajapaksa explaind in detail about the rapid economic development program the country has embarked on and the numerous opportunities unveiled for the investors both domestic and foreign. He further explained about the 5 hubs concept of Sri Lanka’s development plan and expressed hope that the Belarusian investors will grab the existing investment avenues with both hands.
Mr. Bhashwara Gunarathne, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau made a presentation on the significant importance of the tourism sector in overall business environment of the country.
Top representatives from more than 35 Sri Lankan companies participated in the event while more than 60 Belarus officials representing the most respected businesses of the Belarus were also present.
Sri Lanka’s value of exports to the Belarus was US$ 5.56 million in 2012 which mainly included Tea and Pneumatic Tyres. Sri Lanka’s main import from Belarus was Potash while the total import value was US$ 9.36 million.
