The 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC), of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held at Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo recently.
High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka, Ali Faiz, was the chief guest, with Suren Ediriweera, the Managing Director of Ceylon Tours Ltd., attending as a guest speaker for theevening.
Kevin Edwards, who served as the outgoing President of the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council for 2022-2023, opened the meeting with an insightful speech, during which he discussed his continued efforts on behalf of the council.
A major focus of his speech was the statistical analysis of how certain economic and political constraints that Sri Lanka has encountered over the past few years have adversely affected vital industries that contribute to revenue generation.
The newly elected Committee:
President: Sudesh Mendis, VicePresidents: Suranga Rathnayake and Sanjeewa Perera, Treasurer: Jake Danny L.S. Jayasinghe.
The committee included the following companies: American Motor System, CMACGM Lanka, Kelani Cables, Mac Holdings, Marine Transport Services, Nestle, Puritas, and St. Anthony’s Industries Group.
Newly elected President Sudesh Mendis said, “Currently, Sri Lanka holds a market share of 5-6% in the Maldives import market. Frankly, achieving less than a 6% market share is a point of concern and disappointment. Operating three flights per day – occasionally even more – along with two vessels per week, it seems that we havenot fully capitalised on these advantages. Hence, our primary vision is to expand our market share in the Maldives.
“With the assistance of the Maldives Embassy and the Sri Lankan Embassy to the Maldives, we aim to circulate market information and its opportunities you may need to know. Please visit our website to stay nformed,” he said.