22 April 2015 - In adherence to its commitment to moving economic relations between the Philippines and Sri Lanka to new heights, the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, Philippine Honorary Consul in Colombo and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in India collaborated in organizing this year’s Philippine Trade and Investment Seminar held at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo on March 31. 

The seminar was conducted in preparation of the planned trade visit to Manila of a business delegation from Sri Lanka, tentatively scheduled in June or July, to supply them with a comprehensive background on investing in the Philippines. 

A new range of investment prospects and avenues for trade exchanges between the Philippines and Sri Lanka was presented during the event. Industries that were highlighted included tea, banana fiber, packaging, tourism and coconut cultivation and export.

In his opening address, non-resident Philippine Ambassador to Sri Lanka Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo also called for enhancing close cooperation between the Philippines’ marine industry and Sri Lanka’s boat-building technology.

The chief guest at the event, Sports and Tourism Minister Naveen Dissanayake, expressed that he will fully back efforts of both countries in fostering collaboration on tourism promotion.

Guests from the Sri Lanka business community and government representatives numbering more than 100 attended the event. Copies of the Directory of Philippine Exporters 2015 in CD format and other promotional materials on the May 2015 edition of the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines were distributed to the guests at the end of the program.  END