Sri Lanka-Benelux Business Council holds 30th AGM

Executive Committee 2025/2026
Seated from left: Immediate Past President Sajith Wijenayake, Honorary Member Nigel Austin, Honorary Member Rani Ratnayake, President Farhath Amith, Vice President P.M. Abeysekara, Senior Vice President Shameel Mohideen and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Secretariat Pasandi Senara 
Standing from left: Committee Members Hassen Mashish Hamid, Selvadura Mahendran, Thiruvel Murugan, Hiwin Chandrasekara and D.S.K. Pathirana

The Sri Lanka–Benelux Business Council (SLBBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce conducted its 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently, at Taj Samudra Hotel.

Outgoing President Sajith Wijenayake reaffirmed the council’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties between Sri Lanka and the Benelux nations. He highlighted the importance of promoting responsible business practices and exploring emerging opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. 

He also emphasised the need to organise a long-overdue business promotion mission to the Netherlands, noting that such an initiative would significantly enhance collaboration and investment prospects. 

Newly appointed President Farhath Amith outlined the council’s key priorities for strengthening Sri Lanka-Benelux business relations. He highlighted the opportunities to expand trade, tourism, investment and sectoral partnerships across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

He noted the need for support from the Benelux region in extending the EU Deforestation Regulation SME compliance deadline to December 2026, as many Sri Lankan smallholders require more time to meet the sustainability standards. He also identified the collaboration potential in floriculture and the revival of Sri Lanka’s cocoa industry through investment and technology sharing.

Sri Lanka is seeking strengthened cooperation with key European partners to support sectoral development and enhance foreign exchange earnings. Belgium, as a leading global producer of value-added chocolate and major importer of cocoa products, is encouraged to explore opportunities to support cocoa cultivation and development in Sri Lanka. 

Luxembourg, with its strong IT and logistics capabilities, is also invited to consider partnering with Sri Lanka in developing the island as a regional IT hub and supporting growth in port-related infrastructure. Sri Lanka welcomes the partnership and support of these nations to unlock new opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation.

Amith reaffirmed the council’s commitment to deepening B2B engagement, supporting SMEs and enhancing bilateral economic cooperation in the year ahead.

Shaameel Mohideen of Spillburg Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd was appointed as Senior Vice President and  P. M. Abeysekara of Vinu International Trading Company (Pvt.) Ltd was appointed as Vice President. 

The council also elected committee members representing National Technology Development Corporation Society, Universal Travel Bureau, Thames Education Consultancy (Pvt.) Ltd, Euroaqua Link (Pvt.) Ltd and Ningbo Marketing Company (Pvt.) Ltd. 

Sajith Wijenayake from Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt.) Ltd will serve on the committee as Immediate Past President.