Seminar on Lanka-France trade

A seminar on 'Bilateral Trade between Sri Lanka and France' was held at the National Chamber of Commerce auditorium last week. The Ambassador of France John Paul Manchau and Commercial Counsellor of the Trade Section of the Embassy, Jean Louis Poli spoke on the present business trend, trade potential, opportunities for export, import, investment and demand items and other services available for Sri Lankans.

Participants interacted with the Ambassador and representatives from the Embassy. According to the Department of Commerce sources, trade between France and Sri Lanka grew from Euro 215 million in 2002 to Euro 346 million in 2012, a growth of 60%, while Sri Lanka's exports to France grew by nearly 80%.

Despite the economic slowdown in Europe, France remains a main market for Sri Lanka goods and was ranked as the 11th export destination in 2012.

Sri Lanka's exports to France comprise textile, garments rubber-based products, rubber tyres, food products, tea, coir fibre, rubber, gloves and coconut.

Imports from France are petroleum oils, telephone, optical, photographic and electronic equipment, chemical and cosmetic products. Potential export items are garments, rubber and leather based products, footwear, bags, coconut fibre-based products, tea, gem and jewellery and spices.