Sri Lanka Day in Antalya, Türkiye resonate multifaceted possibilities for economic cooperation

Sri Lanka Day in Antalya, Türkiye resonate multifaceted possibilities for economic cooperation

Sri Lanka Embassy in Türkiye organized a “Sri Lanka Day” in collaboration with the Antalya Chamber of Commerce & Industry recently at the premises of the Chambers in Antalya, Türkiye to present opportunities for collaborations in tourism, trade and investment Sri Lanka for the business community in Antalya region of Türkiye.

While thanking the Antalya Chamber of Commerce & industry for organizing the “Sri Lanka Day”, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye, Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, emphasized the importance of improving bilateral trade relations between Sri Lanka and Türkiye further, as the current trade figures does not give due credence for historical and longstanding relations between the two countries and the enormous potential that exist for increasing bilateral trade.

She recalled that when she presented credentials to His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye on 27^th December 2022, the President wished for increase the bilateral trade up to US$ 500 million for 2023. Ambassador was confident that it is indeed an achievable target with the work done by the Embassies of Sri Lanka and Türkiye in respective capitals. She underscored that the Sri Lanka Day in Antalya indeed is a contribution towards this target.

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Mr. Ali Bahar, the President of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce & Industry in his opening remarks highlighted that the engine of economic growth in Antalya is driven by tourism and  agriculture. “Antalya is a global tourism destination and is considered as Türkiye’s agricultural production capital, with 50% of the total greenhouse production of the country realized in Antalya”, he further added.  It was further underscored that among Antalya region’s strengths are production of food and plant seeds, fertilizers, construction materials, plastics, furniture, luxury yachts and boats, marble and medical tourism.

Mr. Bahar expressed that this event is very important to obtain first-hand information for companies based in Antalya region to expand their business collaborations with Sri Lanka including identifying potential sectors to increase mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation between Sri Lanka and Antalya region in future.

Ms. Thavishya Mullegamgoda, Minister Counsellor (Commercial) at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Türkiye presented trade, investment and tourism opportunities in Sri Lanka in detail. Presentation consisted on basic introduction to Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan product basket for export such as tea, spices, essential oils, spa products, coconut-based products, coco peat, canned/packed food and beverages, potential in tourism collaboration such as wellness tourism, eco-tourism etc. sharing expertise that Sri Lanka has in hospitality sector and sustainable tourism, as well as potential collaborations for investment in agriculture production, yachts & boat building, food processing, IT sector, gems & jewellery, construction, energy sector, development projects, etc.

Sri Lanka Embassy in Türkiye invited companies in Antalya region to look at potential that exist in Sri Lanka when they make the next move to source products, expand their businesses or ready to make an investment or establish joint ventures and of course, when they select their next tourist destination for holidays.

The participants were invited to join a business delegation to Sri Lanka to experience and learn more about opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment in a mutually beneficial manner.

The business seminar was attended by potential Turkish importers, distributors, manufacturers, exporters, investors etc. based in Antalya region covering sectors such as agriculture, tourism, tea, spices, coconut products, coco peat, dry fruits, Turkish delights, engineering products, construction products, floriculture, furniture, textile, food preparations, IT services etc. Mr. Ali Kamburoğlu, Hony. Consul for Sri Lanka in Antalya and Mr. Idris Tas, President of the Antalya Journalists’ Association were also among distinguished guests.

A display of Ceylon tea, spices, cinnamon based products, coconut-based food items, herbal preparations, handloom/lifestyle products, beverages such as king coconut water, etc. was also arranged by the Sri Lanka Embassy to show case Sri Lankan products.

During the networking session, participants were able to enjoy Ceylon tea and Sri Lankan ginger biscuits together with Turkish delights. Among the giveaways were pure Ceylon cinnamon sticks and brochures on Ceylon cinnamon, Ceylon tea and tourism.