Samantha Ranatunga - CCC Chairman and Masayuki Matsushita - Vice Chairman of  the Kansai Economic Federation exchanging the signed agreement


An agreement was signed when the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce together with the Sri Lanka – Japan Business Cooperation Committee participated in a ‘Round table’ meeting with a top Japanese biz delegation led by the Kansai Economic Federation to explore business opportunities in the Island.

Under the agreement, both sides will exchange information pertaining to economic and business trends in the two countries, cooperate in the areas of  trade, investment and business, cooperate in the areas of environment conservation and energy-saving and also work on human resources development.

Samantha Ranatunga, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, said “Today’s briefing session to exchange views on how to enhance the economic relationship between Sri Lanka and Kansai, Japan is of particular significance to us at a time the government of Sri Lanka is further encouraging investors to consider establishing joint ventures in Sri Lanka’.

In response, Masayuki Matsushita, Vice Chairman and the Chairperson of the International Committee of the Kansai Economic Federation said, Kanzai region has a strong interest in expanding business to Sri Lanka.

“We have very clear objectives – to obtain an in depth understanding of the status of fast-developing Sri Lankan economy, her policies towards industries and the latest investment environment and to identify the opportunities to expand business, especially in environment sector”, added Matsushita.

Daya Wettasinghe, the President of the Sri Lanka – Japan Economic Cooperation Committee adding into the discussion said,  “Visit of a delegation of an elite nature of this to Sri Lanka from Japan, shows the Japanese commitment and interest in doing business with Sri Lanka’.

“I ask you’ll to look at investing in the fields of infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, logistics and capital market etc,” Wettasinghe requested.

The round table discussion saw leading Japanese firms such as Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Nippon Express, Takenaka Corporation, Hitachi Zosen, Marubeni Corporation, Daikin Industries, Mitsui and Company limited and Kyoei Steel Limited etc. taking part. Several Sri Lankan firms, representing a multiple of sectors were also present at the meeting.

The Ceylon Chamber was also represented by Mangala P. B. Yapa, Secretary General / CEO and Lilakshini De Mel, Assistant Secretary General, at the Round table discussion, while several senior officials of the Kansai Economic Federation, such as Masaru Nakamura, Yasuyuki Hirotomi, Hideaki Tabuchi and Yohimasa Ohashi were present at the meeting.