Time ideal for business with Vietnam - Vietnam Ambassador

"Vietnam and Sri Lanka have now become close friends. This is a favourable condition for businessmen of both countries to do business with each other. It is time to take action," said Ton Sinh Thanh, ambassador for Vietnam in Sri Lanka at the first Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka - Vietnam Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

He said there were areas in Sri Lanka for Vietnamese companies to initiate joint ventures. He was referring to the Port services, IT, tourism, garments, gems, tea, rubber, agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure development.

Seated from left: Sirimal Fernando, Astron Ltd., Lilakshini de Mel, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Ton Sinh Thanh, Ambassador for Vietnam in Sri Lanka, Anton Godfrey, AG International (Pvt) Ltd., Patrick Rodrigo, Walker Sons (Pvt) Ltd. Standing from Left: S. Hirdaramani, Hirdaramani International Exports (Pvt) Ltd., Phung Trong Tuan, Embassy of Vietnam, Rohitha Tillekeratne, Merchant Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Nasleen Jayawardena, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo and Andre Fernando, MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.

Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh said that Vietnam's total trade this year may pass US$ 200b and will continue to attract foreign investment.

By the end of October this year, more than $ 11b of FDI had been registered and $ 9b have been implemented. In the first 10 months, five million tourist arrivals had been recorded and Vietnam is targeting six million foreign tourists by end 2011. More promotion activities of tourist attractions in each country should be conducted he said.

If the beauty of Sri Lanka is promoted, many Vietnamese will choose Sri Lanka as their next destination.

Familiarisation trips should be organised for Vietnamese Tour Operators to build tour packages to Sri Lanka.

Anton Godfrey, President of the Council said that even though the Council was established as the 20th Business Council under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber, of Commerce 18 months ago it has affectively operated various projects and initiatives.

The major project the Council handled in recent times was the 'Sri Lanka' Vietnam Business Forum' organised to coincide with the visit of the President of Vietnam to Sri Lanka in October 2011.

Godfrey said to further strengthen business links between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, the Council will organise a trade and investment promotion mission to Vietnam in March 2012.

The membership unanimously re-appointed Anton Godfrey as President of the Council. Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma, Chief Executive Officer, Dipped Products PLC and Patrick Rodrigo, Head of Administration, Walker Sons Ltd.

were appointed Vice Presidents of the Council.

The following were elected Committee Members for 2011 - 2012, Astron Ltd., Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo Hirdaramani International Exports (Pvt) Ltd., MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. and Merchant Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.