New Zealand biz delegation to visit Sri Lanka

Representatives of seventeen New Zealand companies will visit Sri Lanka next week to further strengthen business links between the two countries.

New Zealand's two-way trade with Sri Lanka is worth $323 million with milk powder, fruit and butter being New Zealand's top exports. New Zealand companies are ready to partner with Sri Lanka in a range of industries such as food and beverage, aviation, transport and logistics, specialized manufacturing, creative services and education.

High Commissioner to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, Grahame Morton said, "The success of our exporters is underpinned by the development of good relationships and continuous innovation in technology and systems."

"Sri Lankans and New Zealanders find common experience as citizens of island nations with proximity to larger neighbours, and a shared love for the natural environment, cricket and rugby. As New Zealand's focus on the region grows, our relationship with Sri Lanka provides a good base for future expansion," he said.

Officials of five education institutions will join the business delegation, all offering New Zealand qualifications which are in demand in the job market and ensuring work-ready graduates. They will engage with Sri Lankan education providers and corporates and industry to showcase their offerings and establish mutually beneficial links.

The delegation will be led by former New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Sir Don McKinnon.

The New Zealand companies represented in the business delegation include: ETI Dynamics, DGL International Powder Coatings, Fisher and Pykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd, Eastern Institute of Technology, Genomic and Personalised Medicine Ltd, International Aviation Academy of New Zealand, Maxiloda Limited, NORTHEC, Patton Refrigeration India (Pvt) Ltd, Powershield Ltd, QualityNZ, Southern Institute of Technology, Tait Communications, Unitec Institute of Technology, Vista Entertainment Solutions, WAML Group, Wellington Institute of Technology and Whitireia New Zealand.