CCC delegation meets Indian businessmen

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Trade Fair Unit which has successfully organised business promotion missions to over 30 markets, realising the great potential for expansion of trade between Sri Lanka and India with the ISFTA in place, undertook a mission to Cochin, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Chennai recently.

The seven member delegation led by Chairman, IFCO Sarath De Silva comprised CEO/Managing Director, Anthon Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd. Rensley Anthonymuthu, Managing Director DSI Samson Group (Pvt) Ltd. D. K. Rajapaksa, Research & Development Manager, Hands International (Pvt) Ltd Rohan De Silva, Merchandiser, Hands International (Pvt) Ltd. Stefan Taylor and Head of R & D, Microcells (Pvt) Ltd. Indika Wijeratne.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was represented by Consultant Ms. Puvi Domingopillai.

The delegation had the privilege of meeting with the business communities in Cochin, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Chennai through the kind courtesy of the Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Cochin & Coimbatore, Kerala Chamber in Cochin, Pollachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and The Andhra Chamber of Commerce & India - ASEAN-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Chennai.

In total the delegation met with over 75 organisations. Other than Chennai, this is the first occasion the CCC explored the cities of Cochin, Coimbatore & Pollachi, especially Pollachi which was an untapped area with great potential.

To be precise, the Pollachi Chamber visited the CCC last year and the visit of this mission to Pollachi could be considered as a reciprocal mission.

The visit of the CCC delegation was a landmark event for the Pollachi Chamber since this was the first overseas delegation to visit their Chamber.

This not only created history but also made a great impact on the Pollachi business community.

The President of the Pollachi Chamber said that the presence of the CCC delegation offered a great opportunity to the Pollachi business community to have a direct dialogue.

He said "Let this humble beginning be the first step towards a long-term economic relationship between the business community of Pollachi and Sri Lanka".

The President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) in Cochin expressed interest in entering into a MOU with the CCC which was warmly welcomed by the CCC representative Puvi Domingopillai.

She extended an invitation to the ICCI to bring a reciprocal delegation to Sri Lanka.

The meetings in Chennai were graced by the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner V. Krishnamoorthy and the First Secretary (Commercial) Premathilake Jaykody which added great strength and value to the delegation.

The Deputy High Commissioner in his presentation touched on the potential for expansion of trade and investment between Sri Lanka and India and gave an overview of the availability of business and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

This address created great awareness and interest amongst the business community in Chennai. Sarath De Silva, the leader of the mission in his address said there are wide opportunities available in the North & East and briefed on the proposed developments which will take place.

He also spoke on the expansion of the Hambantota port which will also record a remarkable increase in the tourism sector.

Referring to India as one of the world's largest economic powers, De Silva said "India has always inspired me and our visit has enlightened, motivated and educated us".