MoU to boost trade between Lanka, Kerala

Kochi - Two leading trade bodies of Sri Lanka and Kerala have signed an agreement to boost business and improve trade relations.

President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Nawaz Rajabdeen and President of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry E. S. Jose, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here on Tuesday, which provides for extensive business-to-business contacts and wide interactions between the two bodies.

Minister of Export Development and International Trade Prof. G. L. Peiris and Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan addressed a meeting here on Monday to raise awareness about the Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Sri Lanka.

Rajabdeen called upon State industrialists and businessmen to make use of the vast trade opportunities in Sri Lanka.

He said that though Kerala and Sri Lanka were geographically very close, very few Lankans visited Kerala.

He said tourism agencies here should organise a road show in his country to woo tourists. Rajabdeen said that Indians constituted the largest number of tourists visiting the island.

The FCCISL had helped rebuild some 10,000 companies and businesses that were ruined by the tsunami. The Federation had spent about eight million euros for the purpose.

Former head of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce, Macky Hashim, said investment and trade opportunities for Keralites were immense in his country.

The European Union had given the 'GSP Plus' trade status to Sri Lanka that qualified the country to export duty-free to EU countries.

This had provided a great opportunity for Keralites as the island offered a platform for cheap re-export to Europe.

Kochi Mayor Mercy Williams Ernakulam MP Sebastian Paul and former Tourism Minister K. V. Thomas were present.