The Vietnam-Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Council made its debut on October 19 in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, setting to boost bilateral trade, investment and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the President of Sri Lanka’s National Chamber of Commerce, Asoka Hettigoda, emphasised that as a branch of the chamber, the council aims to promote and expand the relationship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka , as well as economic cooperation, by bringing the business communities of both countries together.

He underlined that since the 17 major Sri Lankan businesses visited Vietnam last year, several of them have established a business relationship with Vietnamese partners and have already become members of the council.

Vietnam ’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka , Ton Sinh Thanh, applauded the inception of the council, describing it as an important event which will herald in new developments in bilateral trade, investment and tourism cooperation of both countries.

He praised the efforts made by businesses from both countries, especially Sri Lanka ’s National Chamber of Commerce, which has contributed significantly to increasing two-way trade in recent years. Last year, bilateral trade reached 113.2 million USD and is estimated to rise to 150 million USD this year.

Thanh added that he hopes that the council will promote its role and exploit the potential of each country, strengthening and developing cooperation between businesses from both countries.

He stated that the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka will support and create the best possible conditions for Sri Lankan businesses to seek out opportunities in Vietnam .

At the ceremony, the 25 member council also elected its new leaders for the current term.-VNA