Romania propose to modernise railway compartments

By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Romania is awaiting a response from the Government to develop the old railway compartments in Sri Lanka said Ambassador and Charge d'Affairs of the Romanian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Dr. Victor Chiudjea.

He was speaking at a seminar on bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Romania organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) on Wednesday.

Dr. Chiudjea said that Romania had made three proposals to modernise railway compartments which will be a boost to railway transportation in the country.

A Romanian company is keen to support Sri Lanka in implementing the project.

He said that the proposal was made last year but to date there has been no response from Sri Lanka.

"Romania offers enormous opportunities for Sri Lankan products which exporters should explore. There will be a good market for Sri Lankan tea in Romania which is fast becoming a tea consuming country. Coffee has been the preferred beverage among Romanians", Dr. Chiudjea said.

Trade between Sri Lanka and Romania has been low and confined to a few export items from both countries. Sri Lankan exports to Romania in 2010 was Rs.2.3 m and last year it was Rs. 4.10 m.

Imports from Romania in 2010 was Rs. 4.16 m and in 2011 it was Rs. 4.06 m.

"Machine-building industries, tourism, energy, wines, gems and development of road infrastructure are potential areas of cooperation and investment between Sri Lanka and Romania", the Ambassador said.

He said that Sri Lanka provides an ideal destination for Romanian tourists and added that steps should be taken to promote tourism between both countries.

Though Eastern Europe is a traditional tourist market for Sri Lanka while visitors from Romania have been less.

"There are bilateral agreements signed between Sri Lanka and Romania. Romania is a good market for Sri Lankan solar panels",the Ambassador said.

Sri Lanka has maintained cordial relations with Romania since 1957.The Romanian embassy in Colombo was opened in 1976. Sri Lankan exports comprising electrical equipment and parts for these, rubber and rubber products, animal or vegetable fats and oils and their products, apparel and clothing accessories- knitted or crocheted, inorganic chemicals, prepared animal fodder, palm oil and its substitutes, paper board articles, paper pulp, fish, articles of iron and steel are exported to Romania while articles of iron and steel, apparel, specially woven or tufted fabric, lace, stranded wire, robes, cables, inorganic chemicals, precious metal compounds, refrigerators, freezers, electric equipment, coffee, tea, mace and spices are imported from Romania.