ComBank and CBB promote export opportunities to Britain

Commercial Bank of Ceylon in collaboration with the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) recently conducted a free webinar titled ‘Export Opportunities to Great Britain’ for over 290 Sri Lankan small and medium entrepreneurs and exporters as well as business promoters from countries such as the United Kingdom, USA, India, Qatar and Singapore. 

The two-hour event delivered via Zoom benefited entrepreneurs currently exporting and those interested in exporting goods and services to the United Kingdom (UK) and offered insights into British markets and the different avenues of opportunity available to them.  

It was designed for the bank’s existing small and medium exporters involved in business with the UK, potential exporters to the UK and members of the CBB and included a question-and-answer session in addition to the panel discussions and speeches.  The webinar was moderated by Tania Wettimuny, a council member. The panel consisted of CBB Minister Commercial Dr. Lakmini Mendis, representing the Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and CEO Suresh De Mel and Commercial Bank Chief Manager Export Department Lawrian Somanadar, who shared their valuable insights, which were more relevant to those who wish to do business with the UK and to expand their existing businesses with the UK.

RUCI Foods Founder and CEO Thana Sivasambu, Oceanpick (Pvt.) Ltd CEO Irfan Thaseem and Universal Supply Ltd/Universal Europe Suppliers BVT Director Chinn Perera shared their hands-on experience regarding the businesses that they currently conduct with the UK and how they overcame the difficulties and challenges that they faced. 

To increase participant interaction, the bank enabled chat box and real-time messaging features through which questions were discussed during the event. A video of the forum is currently hosted on the Commercial Bank website, Facebook page and YouTube channel for anyone who would be interested in the subject, the bank said.