Sri Lanka Indonesia Business Council Holds its 24th AGM

Sri Lanka – Indonesia Business Council (SLIBC) which functions under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 24th Annual General Meeting recently, at Movenpick Hotel, Colombo, re-electing Mr. Kalinga Wijesekara, Head of Marketing & Communications, Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd. as the President of the SLIBC for a second term for 2017-2018. His Excellency I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia was the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E. I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa while congratulating the re-election of the President Kalinga Wijesekera appreciated his continuous support and active contribution to strengthening the relationship between Indonesia and Sri Lanka, particularly in business and trade. Although being positive on trade between the two countries he feels that more could have been achieved given the vast untapped potential available in Indonesia. He stressed the importance of increasing bilateral trade relations, by creating a conducive business environment and expanding business network, as well as maintaining the already close and friendly relations between the two countries. The re-elected President of the SLIBC Mr. Kalinga Wijesekara addressing the membership emphasized the importance of broad basing the export markets and the significance of Indonesia as an export destination for Sri Lanka. Furthermore, he highlighted the favorable positioning of Asia as an economic powerhouse and the crucial and promising role Indonesia will play as a major economic hub in the region in time to come. He also drew the attention of the gathering to show SLIBC could play an instrumental role in promoting exports, trade and other sectors such as Tourism, Tea, Coffee, Gems and Jewelry etc. He also spoke on how the business council together with the Chamber & Indonesian Embassy is committed in enhancing bilateral trade via B2B meetings to facilitate and enhance our exports. Seated (L to R): Jatinder Biala (Immediate Past President, SLIBC / ISIN Lanka), Moiz Mohamedally (Vice President. SLIBC/ Avalon Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd., Dhara Wijayatilake, (Chief Executive Officer, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce), His. Excellency I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, (Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Sri Lanka), Kalinga Wijesekara (President SLIBC/ Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd), Cherryl Rodrigo (Secretary SLIBC / Ceylon Chamber of Commerce), Rumi Reyal (Vice President SLIBC/ Geocyc (Pvt) Ltd).,). Standing (L to R): Sudharshana Jayatillaka (Committee Member SLIBC/ KALBE International PTE. Ltd)., Mohamed Bashith (Committee Member SLIBC/ Mansel Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd)., D. V. Jayaweera (Committee Member SLIBC/ Douglas & Sons (Pvt) Ltd)., Hussain S. Hashim (Past President SLIBC), Senaka Amerasinghe (SLIBC), Chaminda Rajapakse (Committee Member SLIBC/ Civaro Lanka (Pvt) Ltd).,