FCCISL members explore trade in Kerala

Kochi, Kerala: Sri Lankan businessmen are exploring trade opportunities in ayurveda, coconut and rubber products in Kerala, President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Sarath Kahapalarachchi told the Express newspaper on the sidelines of the Kerala Business-to-Business Meet - 2016 at the CIAL Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre at Nedumbassery. Kahapalarachchi led a 20-member delegation from Sri Lanka, one of the biggest at the meet.

"The Sri Lankan industry is exploring opportunities for possible collaboration and importing products from Kerala. We have been to many business-to-business meetings in India over the past few years. This is my first trip to Kerala," he said.

"There are many SMEs in Kerala, and we are in talks with them to explore trade opportunities in coconut, rubber and ayurveda products," said Kahapalarachchi, who runs a hospital and pharmaceuticals company close to Colombo.

Kerala has a huge potential in the SME segment and the B2B meetings would provide a platform for small industries to rise to the global level, he said.

- ENS