The “Trade Delegation to Australia”, organized by the Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC™) was concluded recently amidst much positive response. The delegation was organized as means of creating the necessary background for local SME entrepreneurs to enter the international market and it managed to successfully secure a number massive foreign investments for Sri Lanka. The delegation visited the cities of Melbourne and Brisbane, from 5th – 20th October, and it consisted of Sri Lankan SME entrepreneurs of various industries, exploring business opportunities and partnerships from and to Australia. This delegation was led by Dr. Amila Kankanamge, Honorary President of CCC™ and accompanied by Honorable Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Governments, Faiszer Musthapha.
The delegation created a great interest within the business and political communities of Australia as one of the most successful attempts towards strengthening Sri Lanka-Australia bilateral relations in the recent past. All delegates were provided the rare and valuable opportunity to meet and develop networks with leading Australian businessmen relevant to their industries.
On the 10th October, 2016 a “B2B matchmaking session and Cocktail Party” was held at the Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne. The attendees of the event included, the Former Premier of Victoria Ted Baillieu and numerous leading entrepreneurs and politicians from Melbourne. Initial agreements for many business ventures and final agreements for investments worth Rs. 500,000,000.00 were made and entrepreneurs discussed in length the various challenges they come across when investing in Sri Lanka and Hon. Minister Faiszer Musthapha agreed to provide appropriate solutions to these issues. The Felicitation Ceremony of Mr. Chandra Bamunusinghe, Deputy Mayor of Hume City Council also took place during this event.
A very fruitful meeting took place with the Heads of Deakin University Law School, where CCC™ came to an agreement to send business executives and entrepreneurs from Sri Lanka to participate in the university’s “Short Executive Education Programs” in the areas of Business Conduct, Business Law and Legal Frame Work, Import Export Laws and Barriers, Trade and Intellectual Property etc.
This delegation received wide media coverage from many Australian media organizations. Leading newspapers such as “The Australian”, “Herald Sun” and several radio and TV stations conducted many interviews where the delegation was given the opportunity to address a number of issues concerning the Australia-Sri Lanka bilateral relations.
Dr. Amila Kankanamge and Hon. Minister Faiszer Musthapha met with the Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Hon. Telmo Languiller, at the Victorian Parliament, for an insightful discussion on how more opportunities can be created for Sri Lankan products in the Victorian market. Furthermore, a meeting was conducted with Cr. Krista Adams of the Brisbane City Council, in which matters pertaining to the promotion of trade between Australia and Sri Lanka were discussed. Here it was mentioned how Sri Lankan products can easily garner a greater demand in the Australian marketplace if they meet the required quality standards. Moreover, following another successful meeting with the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), basic agreements were made, regarding the facilitation of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs’ access to the Australian market. The board of directors of QCCI, especially invited Dr. Amila Kankanamge to organize another trade delegation to Brisbane in future.