The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka–Bangladesh Business Cooperation Council (SLBBCC) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), successfully hosted the Bangladesh–Sri Lanka Business Forum & B2B Meetings at the NCCSL Auditorium, Colombo.
The event marked a significant milestone in regional trade cooperation, welcoming a high-level 24-member business delegation from Bangladesh led by Mr. Taskeen Ahmed, President of the DCCI. The visit was facilitated with the support of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh and aimed to advance bilateral trade, investment, and economic collaboration.
Event Highlights:
The forum commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Anura Warnakulasooriya, President of the NCCSL, who emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening economic diplomacy and private sector engagement. Mr. Andre Fernando, President of SLBBCC, highlighted the importance of fostering regional partnerships in today’s interconnected global economy.
A comprehensive audio-visual presentation on Bangladesh showcased the country’s economic growth trajectory, investment landscape, and potential areas of collaboration, laying a solid foundation for productive dialogue.
In his keynote address, Mr. Taskeen Ahmed expressed strong enthusiasm for broadening business engagements with Sri Lanka, noting Bangladesh’s increasing global competitiveness and mutual benefits of deeper trade integration.
Virtual and in-person greetings were also delivered by H.E. Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh (via video conference), and H.E. Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka, reaffirming the diplomatic support behind private sector-led economic initiatives.
Plenary Session: “Sri Lanka & Bangladesh: Building Bridges for Growth”
The forum’s plenary session featured sectoral insights and opportunities for bilateral engagement:Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman/CEO of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, provided an overview of Sri Lanka’s export diversification efforts and collaboration opportunities with Bangladeshi counterparts. Mrs. Renuka M. Weerakone, Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI), detailed Sri Lanka’s investment incentives, strategic projects, and sectors open for FDI. Representing the DCCI, Mr. Rizwan Rahman, Managing Director of ETBL Holdings Ltd and Past President of DCCI, and Mr. MD Abrarul Alam, Managing Director of EXG Project Logistics (BD) Ltd, shared success stories and identified potential for joint ventures in logistics, apparel, ICT, and agro-processing.
Following the session, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi businesses were formally introduced. The delegation featured companies from key sectors including garments, logistics, ICT, construction, agriculture, and general trading.
B2B Meetings: From Dialogue to Action
A series of structured B2B meetings ensued, allowing delegates to explore direct partnerships, investment linkages, and joint initiatives. These interactions fostered the groundwork for real-time collaboration, enhancing trust and building momentum for future ventures. This impactful initiative reaffirmed the shared vision of both nations to nurture a vibrant, sustainable, and mutually beneficial economic relationship. The NCCSL, DCCI, and SLBBCC expressed confidence that this engagement would serve as a catalyst for tangible growth across sectors, paving the way for enduring bilateral trade and investment cooperation.