SLCSI trade mission secures Australian orders

The ten-member trade delegation of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Small Industry (SLCSI) visited Queensland and Tasmania in Australia lead by its President Aloy Jayawardene.

The delegation were guests of Commerce Queensland in Brisbane and Tasmania Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hobart.

Sri Lanka's Consul General in Sydney Ms. Gothami Indikadahena who accompanied the delegation made a power point presentation, touching on the benefits the foreign investors would enjoy by investing in Sri Lanka. It also covered the Free Trade Agreements with India and Pakistan.

The delegation met the Chamber of Commerce, Queensland. The meeting was chaired by President of the Chamber Ms. Beatrice Booth, Manager, International Business, Nick Ferris and other officials and around twenty business personalities were present.

The delegates exchanged views with the business participants from Queensland. Jayawardene who had visited Commerce Queensland in early 2007 held a discussion to set up an institute to train unskilled labour-carpenters, electricians, plumbers and welders.

Jayawardene held separate discussions with Ms. Booth and State Training Manager, Philip Wiley in this connection. It was decided that a project report be prepared and sent to "Commerce Queensland" for their study.

A project report is being prepared by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board which will be presented for study to "Commerce Queensland". We need Government support and will request the Government to give us the land and buildings. Australia will send the trainers and equipment, Jayawardene said.

The delegates met General Manager, Export and Trade of the Tasmania Department of Economic Development Allan Campbell. This meeting was fruitful and Campbell assured the delegation of finding counterparts in Tasmania.

Two members of the delegation secured contacts - Alucop Cables which is a part of the Sierra Group of Companies contacted a Reputed Construction Company for the supply of cables.

Jayawardene said this is a great achievement, especially to enter the matured quality conscious Australian market. Executive Director, D.S. Panditha has already executed their first trial order and the second order for US$ 100,000 is in the pipe line for a shipment in October.

Oscar Engineering (Pvt) Ltd., which was represented by Managing Director, Angelo Joseph confirmed the possibility of Exporting Aluminium Castings of miniature items. He is anticipating a small order initially and thereafter orders over US$ 25,000 regularly. They have already sent the samples which have been approved.