Multifaceted possibilities for mutual economic cooperation
Sri Lanka Embassy in Turkiye organised a ‘Sri Lanka Day’ event in Ankara together with the Turkiye – Sri Lanka Business Council on June 20, 2023 at the Official Residence of the Ambassador to present opportunities for collaborations in trade, investment and tourism in Sri Lanka among potential Turkish business community. The event was organised under three segments, namely ‘Trade with Sri Lanka’, ‘Investing in Sri Lanka’ and ‘Sri Lanka Tourism’.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Turkiye Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, stated that 2023 is a special year for the two countries; celebrating the 100th anniversary of founding of the Turkish Republic, Sri Lanka celebrating its 75th anniversary of independence as well as the two countries celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. She underscored that the activities commemorating these cornerstones contribute in promoting bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Turkiye.
Ambassador also gave a brief introduction to Sri Lanka and highlighted the similarities in trade for over two millennia between Turkiye and Sri Lanka with Turkiye being an important part of ancient trade routes connecting East and West over the land and while Sri Lanka was part of the sea trade route. She further noted that both countries have rich cultural influences due to being strategic locations on trade routes for a very long time. Therefore, it is no surprise that in 1864 the Ottoman Empire appointed a Hony. Consul in Sri Lanka.
In his opening speech, Chairman of the Turkiye-Sri Lanka Business Council Mehmet Ali Ugur briefly explained about the activities of the Turkiye – Sri Lanka Business Council which started in 2014 and its contributions for the improvement of bilateral commercial relations between the two countries. He highlighted that Sri Lanka’s potential is not yet known adequately in Turkiye and thus the aim of the Business Council is to improve relations between the two countries with more awareness on opportunities that exist in the two countries, paving the way for enhancing economic cooperation of mutual benefit. He highlighted that Turkish business people should take a note of Sri Lanka’s strategic location and focus more on Sri Lanka and the region.
The Head of Department of Asia and Pacific Countries, General Directorate of International Agreements and EU at the Ministry of Trade of Turkiye Cagatay Ozden attended the event as the guest of honour. Ozden emphasized how the bilateral relations and interactions have developed since the opening of the Embassies in Ankara and in Colombo and stated that there is a great potential to further strengthen trade relations.
Minister (Commercial) at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Turkiye Thavishya Mullegamgoda delivered a presentation on Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan product basket for export such as apparel, tea, spices, spa and herbal products, coconut and coir-based products, gems, food and beverages, fisheries products etc. The presentation also detailed potential collaborations for investments in tourism, agriculture production and energy sector among others.
During an experience sharing session in doing business with Sri Lanka, General Manager of BETA Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. in Turkiye Mehmet Ali Ugur shared his company’s successful experience dating back to the 1980’s. He praised the quality of Ceylon Tea, tourism industry, and stressed the importance of the Colombo Port City project. He added that considering Sri Lanka’s close proximity to modern day Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), Colombo being one of the busiest ports in Asia, as well as the various trade agreements that Sri Lanka has with many countries, particularly in the South and South East Asia, a Turkish investor can have access to a much larger market than the 22 million market share in Sri Lanka. He added that he visions that Sri Lanka would be a thriving financial hub between Singapore and Dubai very soon.
Advisory Board Member of Penthol Group of Companies based in Istanbul Aydin Ozu, Turkiye spoke of his experience in the energy sector, stating that Sri Lanka could be considered as a suitable country for investments in energy projects especially in the renewable energy sector. Chairman of Uluer Group of Companies in Turkiye and the General Manager of Sri Lanka Balloon Company Mahmut Sami Uluer, who is also Hony. Consul for Sri Lanka in Nevsehir, spoke of tourism in Sri Lanka. His company started a hot air balloon operation in Sri Lanka in 2016 and he highlighted the benefits of investing in Sri Lanka which included good air connectivity to the world and easy visa process.
The Sri Lanka Day event was attended by business chambers, organisations, associations, potential Turkish importers, distributors, manufacturers, exporters, investors, travel companies, hotel chains etc. not only based in Ankara but also from other regions in Turkiye. Some of the Hony. Consuls for Sri Lanka in Turkiye were also among the distinguished guests. In her closing remark, First Secretary Priya Nagarajah thanked all participants who joined the event and everyone who contributed to make the event a success. During networking sessions, participants were served Sri Lankan cuisine and Sri Lankan tea.