The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Viet Nam initiated signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) and Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) for establishing cooperation between trade promotion agencies of the two countries. The initial meeting between the two organizations were convened virtually.

Ambassador Prof. A. Saj U. Mendis delivering the opening remarks accentuated that although there are immense opportunities to cooperate between the two countries, lack of coordination between trade promoting agencies is a compelling hindrance in arranging B2B meetings and exchanging trade delegations between the two countries, which are key to boost and elevate bilateral trade relations. In 2023, Sri Lanka’s exports to Viet Nam was around USD 35 million and imports from Viet Nam was USD 185 million, which is negligible when compared to Viet Nam’s exports and imports with the world, which is around USD 360 billion and USD 330 billion respectively. The proposed MOU addresses many areas of cooperation and collaboration which facilitates those difficulties and impediments. It is envisaged that this would contribute towards achieving the trade turnover targets of USD 500 million first and then USD one billion within the next 3 to 4 years, thus benefiting both the countries.

 Ms. Anoma Premathilake, Acting Additional Director General (Development) of EDB, delivering her remarks, expressed the willingness and enthusiasm of EDB to cooperate with Vietrade in future trade promotional activities and proposed to establish an Action Plan based on the MOU. Exchanging latest market information, exchanging trade and investment missions, Co-organizing trade promotional events, organizing training and technical assistance programs, exchange of experts, know-how and experiences, supporting respective representative offices are some of the areas for cooperation under the MOU.

The MOU was well received by Mr. Le Hoang Tai, Director General of Vietrade. Mr. Tai remarked his anticipation to boost bilateral trade between the two countries based on this new cooperation and collaboration.

Ms. Manuka Perera, Assistant Director of EDB and Mr. Nguyen Duc Tung, Official of International Relations of Vietrade presented on EDB and Vietrade respectively, which provided a comprehensive understanding of each organization. The meeting concluded with a positive note from each side for obtaining necessary approvals in order to sign the MOU in due course. It is expected to sign the MOU in the forthcoming Third Sub Committee Meeting on Trade between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam.

Ambassador Mendis articulated that enhancement of bilateral trade would markedly contribute to economic and commercial advancement of both the countries, mostly Sri Lanka. Further, Mendis stated that along with bilateral trade, the other economic activity such as FDIs, tourism and research and development, amongst others, too would get fueled and augmented leading to greater economic prosperity. Ambassador Mendis did conclude his brief remarks by stating the sagacious words of Benjamin Franklin “No country was ever ruined by trade and always prospered by trade” .

The MOU was initiated and the meeting was arranged by Ms. Kishani Wickramasinghe, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy.

Sri Lanka’s diversity and compactness in tourism attracted many at the “Amazing Asian Festival” held in Antwerp region in Belgium from 14-16 June 2024.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism PromotionBureau participated in this event organized by Mahanakhon VZW, which attracted over 20,000 attendees. The Embassy showcased different elements of Sri Lankan tourism combining authenticity, diversity and compactness which make Sri Lanka unique in the world tourism map along with Ceylon tea, Sri Lankan cuisine and a number of Sri Lankan products.

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