By: Staff Writer
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka-Canada Business Council (SLCBC), under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, recently completed a successful trade and investment mission to Canada.
Held from October 14 to 22, this nine-member delegation, led by SLCBC President Priyantha Chandrasekara, aimed to bolster trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
The mission involved high-level discussions with Canadian business leaders, government representatives, and academic institutions, highlighting opportunities in critical sectors.
Prior to the delegation’s departure, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed support, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s economic ties with Canada.
In 2023, total merchandise trade between Canada and Sri Lanka was US $654.4 million. Canadian merchandise exports to Sri Lanka were $149 million in 2023; cereal and vegetable products made up 65.2% of all exports. Canadian merchandise imports from Sri Lanka reached $505.4 million in 2023. Garments made up 62.3% of all imports
The mission identified promising areas for Canadian investment, particularly in agriculture, education, transportation, cleantech, and life sciences.
Additionally, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy has enabled valuable initiatives in Sri Lanka, focusing on gender equality, inclusive governance, environmental resilience, and peace.
Programs such as the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) support small-scale projects in women’s empowerment and youth political engagement.
A significant event, the Sri Lanka-Canada Business Forum, took place on October 15, spotlighting collaborative potential in education, agriculture, tourism, IT, and startups. SLCBC leaders, including SLCBC President Priyantha Chandrasekara and Vice President Mohammad Hameez, emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic advantages for Canadian investors, specifically in the Colombo Port City project and the Kankesanthurai Industrial Processing Zone.
Networking sessions hosted by the Canada Sri Lanka Business Convention (CSBC) facilitated valuable connections with Canadian business leaders, while interactions with the Council of Ontario Universities laid groundwork for partnerships in STEM fields and student mobility programs.
Additionally, discussions with the J’pura Canada Alumni Association highlighted demand for more extensive academic exchanges.In Ottawa, the delegation met with Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, U.L. Mohammed Jauhar, to discuss reducing trade barriers and fostering a business-friendly environment.
In Montreal, Global Affairs Canada and food manufacturers explored opportunities to increase Sri Lankan exports, including coconut-based products.
Further, discussions in Vancouver with the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade emphasized potential growth areas in Agri-Tech, IT, and tourism. Meetings with local leaders like Surrey City Councillor Linda Annis and Honorary Consul Jim Bennett highlighted the influential role of the Sri Lankan diaspora in enhancing bilateral relations.
The mission concluded with strengthened commitments for future collaboration, setting a strong foundation for increased trade, investment, and educational exchanges between Sri Lanka and Canada. The SLCBC plans to host a Canadian delegation in early 2025, facilitating discussions with Sri Lankan business leaders and officials, further solidifying this growing partnership.
