Right environment for new ventures - US business delegation
Sri Lanka has immenese potential for business development and the
right environment has been created for new ventures, said a high-powered
US business delegation during a visit to the country last week.
"We are exploring opportunities to set up retirement homes, spas and
yoga meditation centres in Sri Lanka. We have seen the development in
the country and the market for these ventures", said Director, AGL
Partners Ltd. UK, Anke Treffkorn.
Treffkorn said that it was her maiden visit to Sri Lanka and she was
surprised to see the vast development in the country which is ideal for
investments.
"Sri Lanka is the most beautiful country I have visited and the
people are extremely friendly.
I look forward to visit Sri Lanka again and explore more
opportunities for business ventures" Treffkorn said.
AGL Partners is a London based real estate company which operates
boutique hotels, ayurveda centres, spas and retirement homes in many
countries.
The US business delegation comprised around 20 members of top
multinational business establishments. Representatives of these
companies are keen to invest and set up ventures in the country.
Hotels, airlines, healthcare, real estate, education, and venture
capital are some of the sectors that represented the delegation. Sri
Lanka's Ambassador to the US, Jaliya Wikremasuriya said that US
investors are happy with the progress in Sri Lanka after the conflict
and are keen to set up operations in the country.
The US and the United Kingdom are key markets of Sri Lankan apparel
exports. Sri Lankan apparel exports benefitted from the European Union
GSP Plus and GSP from the US. Tourist arrivals from USA last year were
around 16,000 while in the previous year it was around 12,000.
Trade between Sri Lanka and USA has been low due to lack of awarness
on opportunities and promotions.
Sri Lanka exports apparel and clothing, rubber articles, precious
stones, coffee, tea and spices, plastics, fish and crustaceans and
electrical machinery and equipment to the USA.
Aircraft, cereals, machinery and mechanical appliances, cotton,
man-made filaments, paper and paper boards, knitted or crocheted fabrics
are some of the items imported from USA.
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