A high level business delegation headed by the Premier of Tasmania, Hon Will Hodgman and Matthew Groom, Tasmanian Minister for State Growth, Energy, Environment, Parks and Heritage visited Sri Lanka from the 8th to the 10th of September 2016.The first of its kind, Tasmanian government led delegation included senior government and business leaders from the Tasmanian tertiary education and vocational training sector, the renewable energy industry, maritime and advanced manufacturing industries, and tourism and hospitality experts. This delegation is part of the Tasmanian Government Trade Mission to the Subcontinent where they visited New Delhi, Mumbai and Thiruvanthapuram in India.
To build stronger commerce links and explore these opportunities, Tasmanian and Sri Lankan business leaders got together for a unique chance to exchange ideas and explore opportunities at a dedicated business growth event run by the Sri Lanka Australia New Zealand Business Council (SLANZBC). This presented a not-to-be missed opportunity to build strong foundations for ongoing partnerships between Tasmania and Sri Lanka.
This networking event, had Mr. Samantha Ranatunga, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce address the esteemed gathering along with Mr. Manjula Lanerolle, President of SLANZBC who provided a brief overview of SLANZBC. Mr. Tim Huggins, Australian Deputy High Commissioner also addressed the meeting with the closing address by the Tasmanian Premier Hon Will Hodgman. Premier Hodgman described this as a historic moment as this was the first time that a Tasmanian Premier had led a trade and investment mission to Sri Lanka.
Earlier in the day, Hon. Premier Will Hodgman had a delightful meeting with the Prime Minister, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe and met with Hon. Harsha De Silva, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. While the discussion was wide ranging it centered on the similarities and differences of the two islands, including renewable energy opportunities and thoughts on international education. Hon. Premier Will Hodgman said he hopes that this first ever visit to Sri Lanka by a Tasmanian government would be the beginning of partnerships that will last into the future.
The delegation also called upon Hon Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training. They also had a Meeting with Jayantha Dharmadasa, Vice President, Mohan de Silva and Ashley de Silva, CEO, Sri Lanka Cricket. During the day the delegation also visited the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training at the Parliament of Sri Lanka. The parliament visit concurred with a meeting with Hon Thilanga Sumathipala, Deputy Speaker, Chair of the Australia-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group and President of Sri Lanka Cricket.
Besides being a world-class international education and tourism destination, a preferred producer of safe and premium food and a desired destination for migration and investment, Tasmania is a world leading source of expertise in agribusiness, aquaculture, energy, high-value manufacturing and services. This is Tasmania’s value proposition to the South Asian region. The way forward required that they promote these comparative advantages across specific sectors and markets in Sri Lanka and this drives the Tasmanian government’s long term approach in engaging the region.
As an island with an area of around 68,000 square kilometers as compared to Sri Lanka’s 65,000 square kilometers, Tasmania shares Sri Lanka’s strong connections to the sea. They recognize opportunities for targeted education programs around maritime, marine sciences and shipbuilding. Tasmania, through Entura is already contributing to Sri Lanka’s comprehensive energy reform aspirations and the development of its sustainable energy sector.
Tasmania’s exports to Sri Lanka were worth AS$ 35.7 million in 2015 led overwhelmingly by milk and cream commodities. Although Tasmania and Sri Lanka currently have a modest and narrow merchandise trading relationship, Sri Lanka is Tasmania’s 14th largest merchandise export market, ahead of the UK, Canada and Germany,
Tasmania, Australia’s only island state, located at Australia’s south coast, is delivering significant investment in education, resources, tourism and innovation. The Australian state of Tasmania hopes to initiate and establish government, business and sporting ties with this visit, giving the subcontinent direct access to this growing region. As island economies of a similar size Sri Lanka and Tasmania share some of the same challenges, and can share both their common and unique experiences to together build on their respective strengths.
While there has been some level of trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Tasmania for many years now, the Tasmanian Government led delegation to Sri Lanka presented a not to be missed opportunity to build strong foundations for ongoing partnerships. The highly successful networking event concluded with business matching meetings and interactions.
As Sri Lanka’s economic development continues Tasmania is well placed to offer new opportunities to Sri Lanka with a world–class international education and tourism sector, a reputation for safe and premium food, and a sought after lifestyle and destination for education and investment. The meetings with the Sri Lankan Government and business officials seek to deepen economic links while showcasing what the pristine and innovative island state of Tasmania can offer Sri Lanka. This trade delegation was one more step in building Tasmania’s place in Asia and introducing Sri Lanka to what surprises Tasmania has to offer.