Seychelles-Sri Lanka business forum: Exploring trade and business possibilities |05 February 2014
The Sri Lankan delegation during the Seychelles-Sri Lanka business forum here last week
The Sri Lankan business promotion mission who were here for the Seychelles-Sri Lanka business forum held last week at the STC conference hall came from diverse internationally-recognised business sectors of Sri Lanka. They were here to explore the possibilities of doing business and trade with Seychelles .
The Sri Lankan businessmen had an overview of the Seychelles business atmosphere and on what both countries are hoping to achieve through that forum from the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte.
They were later on exposed to the investment and potential business opportunities in various sectors of the Seychelles economy through presentations from officials representing local companies and organisations related to such activity.
They were the Seychelles Investment Board, the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the Seychelles Fishing Authority, the Department of Tourism, the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) and the National Plant Protection Office (NPPO) of the Ministry of Natural Resources. This NPPO was there to clarify various points raised by exporters in the field of fresh vegetables or fruits or any plants and plant products.
Prominent and internationally-recognised Sri Lankan business companies were represented by either their directors, chief executive officers, chairmen, heads of business or marketing, general managers and senior consultants.
Today we bring you short profiles on who was at the forum and which company they represent for the benefit of local businesses who are thinking of entering into trade or business partnerships with such firms.
Who were here?
The Sri Lankan business promotion delegation was led by the secretary general and chief executive officer of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Harin Malwatte. He was accompanied by his senior assistant secretary general, Lilakshini de Mel. Established on March 25, 1839, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) is among the few legendary institutions in the Asia Pacific Region to hold such an unbroken record. Having commenced operations with coffee, followed by tea, rubber and coconut sectors, CCC has now evolved to cover all sectors of the economy and identifies itself as a Confederation of Regional and Sectoral Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trade associations, employer associations, and bilateral business councils.
From the National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) of the Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka was Sarath C. Wanigasuriya, the additional director plant quarantine. The NPQS of Sri Lanka facilitates import and export of plants and plant products free of pests (insects, pathogens and weeds) in order to protect the environment of Sri Lanka and other relevant sectors. By providing inspection services and quality assurance schemes, the NPQS also assists Sri Lankan businesses wishing to export fresh products or plant products to other countries.
Sirimal Fernando is the director – Marketing of Astron Limited, a Sri Lankan company which researches, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of health care products.
Dr R.A.U.C Ranasinghe is chairman of C. R Exports Limited, a company which has steadily grown to be the largest exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables currently serving the markets of the Middle East. With a vision to stamp the identity of Sri Lanka in the global fresh fruits and vegetables market, C. R Exports has been developing its value chain with consistent quality standard ISO 22000, HACCP to enhance its competitive edge.
Mangala P. B. Yapa is the managing director/chief executive officer of the Colombo Boatyard, the leading ship building company, ship repairing and heavy engineering facility in Sri Lanka. It operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd of Japan and the entire operation is certified to ISO 9001-2008 by LRQA. Mr Yapa was accompanied by Prince Lye, head of marketing – NB of the dockyard. It is to be noted that President James Michel visited the dockyard while on his state visit to Sri Lanka in August 2012.
Gayathri Amarasinghe is the head of the Business of Dhanusha Marine Lanka Exports (Pvt) Ltd. A subsidiary launched under Dhanusha Group of Companies in 1983, the firm is engaged in the manufacturing of fiberglass boats and other allied products. Ms Amarasinghe was accompanied by Anurasiri Perera, senior production executive of Dhanusha Marine Lanka Exports (Pvt).
Shenali Panabokke is the director of Eastern & Allied Agencies (Pvt) Ltd, a leading exporter of fresh produce, preserved food items and other hotel requirements. The company is already exporting to customers in Seychelles.
Sivagnanam Gnanaskandan is the director of Eastern & Allied Agencies (Pvt) Ltd, a leading exporter of fresh produce, preserved food items and other hotel requirements.
Mohamed F. Annam is the director/CEO of Expolanka (Pvt) Ltd, a leading and reputed exporter of fruits and vegetables to the Middle East & Maldives, fresh coconut and dessicated coconut to the Middle East, Europe, Pakistan and Africa. He was here with his general manager Imdadh Marikar.
Dushan Perera is the director of ICEMAN Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, a leading manufacturer of cold rooms, ice plants and refrigerated trucks in Sri Lanka. The company caters for refrigeration technology in the food sector.
Sarath de Silva is the chairman of International Foodstuff Co. Agri Bio-Tech (Pvt) Ltd, a dynamic group of companies excelling in producing, processing and exporting agricultural products from Sri Lanka. To keep to their motto ‘Farm to Fork within 24 hours”, all IFCO exports are grown locally, meticulously cared for under strict controls ensuring authenticity.
Devinda Lorensuhewa is the sales manager of Kelani Cables PLC, an ISO 9001 & 14001 certified company which provides indoor and outdoor power cables, auto cables, data cables, welding cables, submersible pump cables and enameled winding wires.
Faris Fausz is the director- Business Development of L & S Engineering (Pvt) Ltd which specialises in producing complete range of indoor and outdoor decorative solutions for residences and hospitality sectors. The company provides all kinds of window blinds with a focus on automated blinds, sun shields, outdoor canopies, tents, awnings, outdoor cushions.
M. M. M Mizver is the managing director of Macksons Paints Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the leading manufacturer of all types of paints – decorative, automotive, industrial, marine and wood care products. It is also the largest exporter of paints in Sri Lanka. He is accompanied by Ranga Gunawardena, the senior consultant of the company.
Dawn Austin is the managing director of Nidro Supply (Pvt) Ltd, a company which is a pioneer exporter of Sri Lankan food products. The company is certified to be compliant with international food safety certification standards and exports high quality Sri Lankan brands for retail and hotels & resorts.
Fazal Fausz is the managing director of Rainco Inustries (private) Ltd, which is a leading Sri Lankan household brand known for retailing high quality umbrellas, rainwear, mosquito nets, school bags, infant nets, PVC and fabric rainwear, jackets, outdoor canopies, awnings and marquees components for all above-mentioned products. They manufacture and retail the products in the south Asian region.
R. S. K. Wijesooriya is the head of administration & human resources of Sanken Overseas (Pvt) Ltd which is the overseas arm of Sanken Construction (Pvt) Ltd. Sanken Overseas has established itself as a multinational company in the field of construction and has its operations across the Asian and African continent. It has a presence here in Seychelles and they built the Ephelia Resorts & Spa at Port Launay.
F. H. Ghany is the director of Serene International (Pvt) Ltd, a company which has been in the export business nearly 10 years. They are into the export trade of high quality fruits and vegetables from Sri Lanka. It is fully equipped to source and deliver goods to your organisation.
Chamara Udugama is the chairman and chief executive officer of Tea Talk (Pvt) Ltd; Nahinigala Tea Factory (MF 1384); Southern Tea Producers (Pvt) Ltd (STP); Timing Lanka (Pvt) Limited.
Nahinigala Tea Factory produces high quality pure Ceylon tea, pure Ceylon cinnamon. They export from Sri Lanka tea and cinnamon to spices, essential oils, rice and rice flour. They are looking for a suitable agent to sell timing rice, grain, and tea colour sorters.
The dossier of these companies are available at the Seychelles Investment Board or can be seen on the internet.