Sri Lankan business delegation strengthens relations with business community in Moscow

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow arranged a meeting between the Sri Lanka business delegation and the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with the Russian business community on 9 February, 2022.

The President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Platonov delivered an opening address. Welcoming the participants, he stated that it was important to meet in person to create an opportunity to build a direct dialogue between entrepreneurs. He thanked the delegation from Sri Lanka for their visit, and wished them success in their joint business ventures. Vladimir Platonov thanked the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Prof. Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage for organizing the meeting.

Ambassador Prof. Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage expressed her gratitude to the MCCI and representatives of the Sri Lanka business society for their interest and organizing the meeting. She recalled that this year marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation and expressed hope that “today’s event will be a significant milestone in the anniversary year”. She noted that relations between the two countries had always been very friendly and that Russia has always helped our country in difficult moments in our history. I hope that with the help of the MCCI, we will be able to establish and strengthen relations with the entrepreneurs of our countries”. She also stated that spices, herbal products, wellness activities, tourism, gem mining are the main areas that could be explored for collaboration.

The Executive Director of the Guild of Trade and Services Enterprises at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Shishkin stated that the guild united more than 50 companies that were engaged in various business areas.

Chairman of the Guild of Jewelry Exporters at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alexey Shcherbina said that the members of this public structure are companies representing the jewelry industry sector and used high-quality diamonds and coloured stones in their work. He added that Sri Lanka is of considerable interest as a source of the world’s best stones (at least sapphires).

On behalf of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vladimir Platonov presented the Ambassador with mementos from the Guild of Trade and Services Enterprises at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry.