Czech Business Delegation in Colombo
15.05.2017 / 13:27
Junior Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Ivan Jančárek, New Delhi-based Ambassador to Sri Lanka Milan Hovorka and a high-powered business delegation headed by vice-president of the Czech Chamber of Commerce Borivoj Minar were on the visit to Sri Lanka from 4th to 6th May, 2017.
The Business Mission, organised in close cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Colombo led by Dr. Lohitha Samarawikrema, was financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic through its programme to promote economic interests of Czech companies abroad.
Representatives of the following Czech companies took part in the business delegation: Škoda Doosan Power, Arkon Flow Systems, s.r.o., Czech Export Bank, Bonatrans India, MSA a.s., and the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic.
During the business mission, the delegation had numerous government-to-government, government-to- business and business-to-business opportunities to explore the ways and means of enhancing bilateral trade and investment relations in a number of areas, with particular focus on the energy sector.
The delegation was privileged to call on Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife of Sri Lanka Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, meet with Minister of Primary Industries Daya Gamage, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and Minister of Tourism John Amaratunga, as well as to interact with Deputy Minister of Energy Ajith Perera.
Czech entrepreneurs also had in-depth talks with Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board W. B. Ganegalaand and Chairman of the Board of Investment Upul Jayasuriya. During the Czech Republic-Sri Lankan Business Forum held on May 4th 2017, they had the opportunity to get acquainted with the presentations of all major Sri Lanka chambers, including the National Chamber of Exporters, the European Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Commerce, and to conduct a series of bilateral business-to-business meetings. As a part of the visit, a festive cocktail was held the same day for representatives of ministries, business circles and the diplomatic community, which meant yet another opportunity for informal talks with Sri Lankan partners.
Junior Deputy Minister Ivan Jančárek and Ambassador Milan Hovorka also called on additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Grace Asirwathem to review the current status of bilateral relations between two friendly countries.
Media responses can be found here:
http://dailynews.lk/2017/05/05/business/115082/sri-lanka-czech-republic-expand-trade-volumes
http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Sri-Lanka-Czech-Republic-to-deepen-bilateral-ties-128491.html
