SL embassy in rok aggressively promotes economic diplomacy through webinars

The Commercial Division of the embassy of Sri Lanka in the Republic of Korea has been tenaciously and aggressively promoting economic, investment and commercial activity with particular focus on exports from Sri Lanka to the RoK and attraction of foreign direct investments (FDIs) and international joint ventures, among others, to boost and augment the economy of Sri Lanka, given the slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the last couple of months, the embassy in Seoul conducted webinars to promote the exports of tea to the RoK, establish linkages for processing of gems and jewelry as well as exports to the RoK, use Sri Lanka as a hub for boat manufacturing and ship building and high-level meeting with the president and top most management of Hanseo University to establish a branch (FDI) in Sri Lanka, among others.

The embassy in close coordination with the Tea Association of Korea and Sri Lanka Tea Board as well as a large number of importers of Ceylon Tea and potential importers conducted a 90-minute webinar, which included a short video of Ceylon Tea, addresses by Jayampathi Molligoda, chairman of Sri Lanka Tea Board; Niraj De Mel, Deputy chairman of Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC; Shawn S. Jung, Chairman of Tea Association of Korea and opening and closing remarks by ambassador Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis and Ms. Rekha Mallikarachchi, Minister Counsellor (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka respectively.

Ambassador Dr. Mendis stated in his opening remarks that the quantum of cups of tea sold in year 2016 has increased by three times, now, thus clearly and lucidly manifesting the growing demand of tea in the RoK. The chairman of Sri Lanka Tea Board and Deputy Chairman of Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC accentuated and illustrated the utility and benefits of tea for health and wellbeing as well as the illustrious history of tea in Sri Lanka for nearly two centuries. Over 80 business houses and importers as well as interested parties pro-actively participated at this fascinating webinar titled “Ceylon Tea Tasting”.

The embassy in close collaboration with Korea Gem Trade Association known as KGTA and National Gem and Jewelry Authority (NGJA) of Sri Lanka conducted a webinar, along with comprehensive graphic presentations, in order to promote exports of gems and jewelry to the RoK. Tilak Weerasinghe, chairman of NGJA and Hong Jae Young, chairman of KGTA as well as the ambassador Dr. Mendis and Minister Counsellor Ms. Mallikarachchi, among others, addressed the webinar. One of the key attributes was to encourage and lure the corporate houses specialized in gems and precious stones to be engaged with Sri Lanka in the sphere of gems and jewelry leading to international joint ventures. Further, the speakers stated that Sri Lanka possesses exquisite craftsmanship and sophisticated creativity, blended with modern technology, thus focusing on excellence on designing and fashioning, making Sri Lanka a unique hub for gems and jewelry in Asia. This webinar too was attended by a large number of participants from both ends of the equation.

Since Sri Lanka has the capacity and technical know-how in boat and shipbuilding industry for many decades, the embassy in close cooperation with Korea Medium & Small Shipbuilding Industry Cooperative (KOMSSIC) and Sri Lanka Boat Building Industry conducted a webinar to profile and project the capacities of Sri Lanka in this sphere. Gamini Herath, Managing Director of boat building Technology Improvement Institute (BTI) and Bae Chui-nam, Executive Director of KOMSSIC made presentations and addresses of the capacities, necessities and requirements of this sector. Both ambassador Dr. Mendis and Commercial Minister Counsellor Ms. Mallikarachchi delivered the opening and closing remarks. Dr. Mendis stated that this sector has a distinct advantage to become a hub in the entire Asian region due to its strategic location, highly trainable and adaptable workforce, state-of-the-art technology, proven expertise and advantage of cost of labor, amongothers.