Vietnam Vice Minister of Trade and Industry Leads a Trade Delegation to Sri Lanka

Press statement issued by the Government of Sri Lanka

(June 10, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Vice Minister of Trade and Industry of Vietnam Le Duong Quang visited Sri Lanka from 7th to 9th June 2010. He was accompanied by a five member official delegation and a 23 member business delegation. The purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities for further strengthening investment and trade ties between the two countries.

While in Sri Lanka, the Vietnam Vice Minister paid a courtesy call on Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiutheen. A technical level Meeting was held at the Board of Investments (BOI) of Sri Lanka where investment opportunities in Sri Lanka were highlighted. An officials’ level Meeting was arranged between the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Services of Sri Lanka and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Vietnam.

A Business and Investment Forum was organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday 8th June at the CCC premises. The Sri Lanka – Vietnam Business Council was also launched at this Forum. Several senior Government officials were invited to address the Forum at its inauguration. The visiting Vice Minister while addressing the Forum highlighted on the importance of enhancing bilateral trade relations. He further stated that the Government of Vietnam is seriously consideration on reopening of a Vietnamese resident Mission in Colombo. Commenting on the launch of Vietnam Sri Lanka business Council, the visiting Vice Minister stated that such would assist in finding more business opportunities and thereby bring mutual benefit to the two countries. A DVD presentation on trade and investment opportunities in Vietnam was also made at the inauguration.

A renewed interest in furthering bilateral trade and commerce between the two countries is visible since the successful conclusion of the Second Session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. In October 2009, a trade delegation of 14 members, led by then Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of Vietnam visited Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities. A successful Business Forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City in October 2009 concurrent to the state visit of the President of Sri Lanka where over 110 Vietnamese Business personnel and approximately 20 of their Sri Lankan counterparts participated.