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| Sunday, 7 May 2006 |
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CCC to lead trade mission to Myanmar, Thailand The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Trade Fair Unit in its effort to expand its trade relations has taken another step to lead the first ever Sri Lankan mission to Myanmar. The mission will be held from June 12 - 18. In a bid to assist members with wider trading opportunities, the mission also includes Thailand. Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Myanmar D. M. M. Ranaraja, in a recent communication to the CCC said Myanmar is a potential market and the time is now opportune for Sri Lanka to explore this untapped market. Countries such as China, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam are making maximum use of the available opportunities in Myanmar. There is vast scope for further expansion of Sri Lankan products in Myanmar'. This encouraging remark by the Ambassador and the positive response received from Counsellor for Sri Lanka in Myanmar, Ms. R. Wijeratne Mendis, prompted the Chamber to initiate this mission. Ambassador for Myanmar in Sri Lanka Tin Oo Lwin, and Counsellor Ms. Yin Oo, too have pledged their support to the CCC in making this mission a success. 'The CCC has just concluded a MoU with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and as an initial step towards strengthening its ties, embarked on organising this mission', a CCC spokesperson said. With the objective of adding value, the CCC has made use of this opportunity to visit Thailand on their return from Myanmar. The encouragement given by Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Thailand J. D. A. Wijewardena, and First Secretary Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, during the visit of a CCC official to the Embassy last year impelled the Chamber to explore this market too. The visit to Thailand by the CCC delegation will be of great significance since CCC's first overseas link was with the Board of Trade of Thailand (BOT) when they signed the MoU in 1988. Though CCC had the privilege of meeting several Thai delegations in Sri Lanka, since the signing of the MoU with BOT, this is the first occasion they are able to lead a delegation to Thailand. The Sri Lankan Embassies in Myanmar and Thailand have identified tea, rubber products, coconut products, coir fibre products, spices, garments, fertiliser, tourism, gems and jewellery, agro products and shipping and freight forwarding as potential sectors to be promoted by Sri Lanka. The Chamber is targeting a 10-member delegation and the highlight of the mission would be the one-to-one Business meetings, which will offer opportunities for our mission members to have direct dialogue with their business associates from Myanmar and Thailand. The delegation will meet their counterparts from Yangon, Mandalay and Thailand. According to the Chamber spokesperson, though the Balance of Trade is in favour of Myanmar and Thailand, both are potential emerging markets. It is reported that Myanmar lacks in quality food products and commodities, which creates opportunities for foreign items to enter the market and it is timely that we exploit this market. The CCC is confident that their visit would result in successful trade negotiations and joint ventures with Myanmar and Thailand. |
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