By: Staff Writer
January 23, Colombo (LNW): Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for South Asia, visited Colombo from January 21 to 23, 2025, marking his first official trip to Sri Lanka in this capacity. The visit aimed to enhance trade relations between the UK and Sri Lanka, address barriers to doing business, and explore initiatives to foster mutual economic growth.
During his stay, Kang met with key Sri Lankan government officials, including Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Western Province Governor Haniff Yousouf, and Presidential Economic Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa.
He also engaged with a wide array of stakeholders, such as representatives from UK-linked businesses, transnational education providers, and senior business leaders.
The discussions centered on sectors like financial and professional services, IT and software development, education, manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy. Kang emphasized the UK Government’s commitment to supporting British businesses, whether they are entering the Sri Lankan market for the first time or seeking to expand their operations.
Kang expressed admiration for the strong educational ties between the two nations, noting that Sri Lanka is the UK’s second-largest market for transnational education. “I am particularly impressed by the strength of our educational partnerships and am eager to explore how we can continue to contribute to the growth of Sri Lanka’s skilled workforce,” Kang stated. He also highlighted the UK’s role as a champion of open markets and its efforts to promote ease of doing business globally.
Sri Lanka holds significant value as a trading partner for the UK, with total trade amounting to approximately £1.5 billion annually. UK exports to Sri Lanka stand at £359 million, while UK imports from Sri Lanka reach £1.1 billion, making the UK Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market. Kang stressed the importance of improving market access and reducing trade barriers to further boost bilateral trade and investment.
The UK’s Department for Business and Trade plays a key role in supporting British businesses overseas by addressing challenges and promoting trade opportunities. As HMTC for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India since May 2023, Kang is focused on enhancing the UK’s trade partnerships across the region.
Before his current role, Kang served as the UK’s Chief Negotiator for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. He also had a 30-year tenure at AstraZeneca, where he served as Global Commercial Director, working on affordable pharmaceutical solutions for less developed regions. Additionally, he is a member of the University of Birmingham’s Council.
Looking ahead, Kang is optimistic about the future of UK-Sri Lanka relations. “By engaging with government and business stakeholders, I aim to identify solutions that will strengthen our partnership, ultimately contributing to the economic growth of both countries,” he noted.The UK remains committed to fostering sustainable, resilient, and productive partnerships in South Asia, with Sri Lanka playing a crucial role in these efforts.
