[:en]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.

Шри-Ланка бизнес-форум, организованный Посольством Шри-Ланки в Российской Федерации в сотрудничестве с Советом по развитию экспорта, Шри-Ланка туризма Бюро по содействию и БелТПП и промышленности был проведен в городе Минске 26 августа совпадающими с визитом Его М.Раджапаксе Президент Беларуси.
Место проведения этого важного мероприятия было Главное Библиотека Зал в Минске, который разместил более 100 участников. Рассматривается как архитектурный шедевр, библиотека Здание 23-этажное предназначен в виде алмаза, символизирующий огромное значение знаний, которые человечество хранится в книгах. Здание покрыто стеклянными панелями и в течение дня все 24 стороны сверкать, как настоящий бриллиант. Библиотека также рассматривается как имеющий самую большую коллекцию русского языка книг за пределами России.
Бизнес-форум был торжественно открыли с выступлений г-Гамини Egodage, председатель Совета по развитию экспорта Шри-Ланки и г-н Myatilikov председателя Белорусской торгово-промышленной палаты и промышленности.
Заместитель министра экономики Республики Беларусь г-н Кудасов сделал презентацию на тему «Экономическое и экспортного потенциала Республики Беларусь». Г-н Кудасов отметил, присущие преимущества белорусской экономики и промышленности, и как эти сильные могли быть использованы по бизнес-сообществ двух стран.
Г-н Gamini Egodage, председатель Совета по развитию экспорта Шри-Ланки сделал замечания о перспективах увеличения двусторонней торговли, который в настоящее время составляет около $ 15 млн.
Освещение масляной лампы был проведен с приходом HE М.Раджапаксе Президент и Его превосходительство, Мясниковича премьер-министра Республики Беларусь.
Премьер-министр Беларуси Hon. Мясникович дал высокую оценку в уделяется возможность участвовать в этом мероприятии и отметил необходимость Беларусь бизнес-сообщества участвовать больше с развивающимися странами Азии.
В своем выступлении президент Раджапакса explaind подробно о программе быстрого экономического развития в стране встала на и многочисленных возможностей обнародовал для инвесторов и отечественных и зарубежных. Он также пояснил, о концепции 5 хабов плана развития Шри-Ланки, и выразил надежду, что белорусские инвесторы захватить существующие инвестиционные направления с обеих рук.
Г-н Bhashwara Gunarathne, председатель Бюро развитию туризма Шри-Ланки выступил с докладом на существенное значение сектора туризма в общей бизнес-среде страны.
Участие представители Лучшие из более чем 35 Шри-Ланки компании в случае в то время как более 60 должностных лиц, представляющих Беларусь наиболее уважаемых предприятий белорусского также присутствовали.
Значение Шри-Ланки экспорта в Беларусь составил $ 5560000 в 2012 году, которые в основном включены чай и пневмошинами. Основной импорт Шри-Ланки из Беларуси был калийная в то время как общая стоимость импорта составила $ 9.36 миллиона долларов.

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.

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