Sri Lanka German Business Council hosts Members’ Day

From left: SLGBC President Asoka Hettigoda, Ambassador of Germany to Sri Lanka Dr. Felix Neumann and SLGBC Vice President Karim Schadlou

The Sri Lanka-German Business Council (SLGBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted its Members’ Day at Hilton Colombo Residences recently, bringing together industry leaders, diplomats and business professionals to celebrate and enhance trade relations between Sri Lanka and Germany.  

Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Felix Neumann delivered the keynote address, reaffirming Germany’s long-standing commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic development. He noted that over 300 German brands are actively operating in Sri Lanka, recognised for their reliability and long-term sustainability. Notably, no German company exited Sri Lanka during its economic challenges, reflecting the resilience and confidence of German businesses in the local market. 

Tourism was highlighted as a key area of bilateral engagement, with Germany being Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest source market, accounting for over 7 percent of total arrivals. Dr. Neumann emphasised the need for policy consistency and regulatory efficiency to attract further German investments and strengthen economic ties. 

SLGBC President Asoka Hettigoda, in his address, reflected on the SLGBC’s 25-year journey in fostering Sri Lanka-Germany business relations. He emphasised the SLGBC’s commitment to promoting trade, tourism and investment between the two nations while encouraging German investments and the establishment of joint ventures in Sri Lanka. He also underscored the importance of facilitating business delegations and trade missions to strengthen commercial linkages and enhancing Sri Lanka’s participation in international trade fairs in Germany.

Furthermore, Hettigoda announced several key initiatives for the upcoming year, including the launch of the SLGBC website, which will serve as a platform for the members to explore new opportunities. He also highlighted plans to coordinate foreign investor visits, providing potential investors with firsthand insights into Sri Lanka’s business landscape. 

He extended his appreciation to Dr. Neumann for his continued support in resolving business challenges and strengthening Sri Lanka-Germany trade relations. He further reaffirmed the SLGBC’s commitment to fostering new business collaborations, trade expansion and investment facilitation between the two nations.