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| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
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Australians interested in Indo-Lanka Trade Agreement by Elmo Leonard Australian agricultural and fruit producer companies are interested in the Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement whereby they could gain a foothold in the subcontinent with their produce through joint ventures with Sri Lankan companies.This was revealed last week when Australian Minister of Agriculture, Robert Cameron, accompanied by a 14 member delegation of fruit producers, visited Sri Lanka. During the course of talks the visiting delegation held with the BOI, they said that they were interested in promoting water sports and the leisure travel industry here. The delegates came to Sri Lanka following a visit to the Maldives. They were told that 80 percent of fruits and vegetables entering the Maldivian hotels were supplied by Sri Lanka. The Australian Victorian delegation represented the following companies: Aberdeen Wine Company; Continental Cuisine Australia Pty Ltd; Dimattina Provedoring Pte Ltd; Fourair Industries Pty Ltd;Goulburn Strathbogie Olive Growers Association; Food Company Husssey and Co Pte Ltd; Goulburn Strath Bogie Olive Growers Association; Food Company Hussey and Co Ptd Ltd; Link International Distributors Pty Ltd; Luv A Duck; Montana Foods; Prestige Foods International Pty Ltd; Prestige Foods Manufacturing Pty Ltd; Star Anis; Victorian Mariculture Developments Pty Ltd; Westmeats (Exports) Lty Ltd; World Link International. Sri Lanka's demand for fruits and vegetables from the outside world could not be met. At the same time, 30 percent of the island's fruit and vegetables were lost in post-harvest. Sri Lanka needed Australian expertise in packaging and preserving fruits and vegetables, BOI's Executive Director, Santhush Jayasuriya said. The Australians were also briefed on the infrastructure of the island, including new developments in the Colombo harbour, airports and highways. The delegation was told that after the recent India-Sri Lanka open skies agreement there was a 50 percent increase of Indian passengers in to Sri Lanka; 60 percent increase in cargo movement, Jayasuriya said. Also, the movement of passengers and cargo to and from Sri Lanka had increased. Australia were interested in utilising such facilities towards better business. |
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