ANC business delegation visits Sri Lanka

A high-level business delegation of the African National Congress-Progressive Business Forum (ANC-PBF) led by South Africa's Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize visited Sri Lanka last week. The 24-member delegation included Co-convener of the ANC-PBF and leading South African businessmen of mining, construction, agriculture, IT and retail sectors Renier Schoeman. The PBF is the business wing of the ANC and has a membership of over 6,000 companies.

The ANC-PBF co-hosted 'Sri Lanka - South Africa Business Forum' with the Sri Lanka-Africa and Middle East Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Colombo last week.

The Deputy Ministers of Economic Development of both countries addressed the Business Forum which was followed by several business-to-business meetings.

Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena invited the South African business delegation to choose Sri Lanka as their next destination for investment and tourism. Deputy Minister Mkhize highlighted that the two countries are well positioned after prolonged domestic conflicts to expand economic relations and achieve inclusive growth.

An MOU was signed between the Sri Lanka-Africa and Middle East Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to further strengthen trade and economic opportunities between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

The program of the South African business delegation included visits to the Parliament, Facets exhibition, Board of Investment, Sri Lankan tea, rubber, garment and porcelain industries, IT Park, Nano Park and the Jaffna peninsula. They also called on Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Ministry.

At the Parliament, Deputy Minister Mkhize and her delegation had an opportunity to interact with the President of the Sri Lanka-South Africa Parliamentary Friendship Association, Chief Government Whip of Parliament and Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawardana and other members of the Friendship Association.

Minister Gunawardana recalled the long-standing friendly relations between Sri Lanka and South Africa, while Deputy Minister Mkhize highlighted the importance of having South-South cooperation between the two parliaments and their parliamentarians.

Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Leader of the House (of Parliament) Nimal Siripala de Silva explained to the visitors the Government's recent decision to enhance relations with countries in the African continent and the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with 15 African countries.

In Jaffna, the delegation visited Atchuveli Industrial Park, Kankesanthurai Harbour, Navatkuli Palmyra Research Centre and the Public Library.

Deputy Minister Mkhize and her delegation witnessed the current situation in the region.

They were impressed with the development work carried out by the Government and have expressed their keen interest in investing there.