Viet Nam trade delegation signals timely investment momentum for SL’s post-cyclone recovery

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka co-organised the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Business Forum recently, in conjunction with the third Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Subcommittee on Trade co-chaired by Viet Nam Industry and Trade Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang and Sri Lanka Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Ministry Secretary K.A. Vimalenthirarajah.
The event drew strong participation from across the local business community. The forum brought together a high-profile visiting Vietnamese delegation led by Thang alongside Ambassador of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam, comprising several high-profile representatives from Viet Nam’s Trade Ministry, Finance Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as leading corporate entities in agricultural machinery, aquaculture, aviation and pharmaceuticals.   
The delegation’s arrival, coordinated in close partnership with the Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka, came at an especially important time. As the country works to rebuild economic momentum in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, international trade delegations help reinforce confidence, renew investor interest and signal clearly that Sri Lanka remains open for business. 
Tam has played a steady and constructive role in strengthening engagement and the strong turnout at the forum reflected that sustained effort.
Coffee emerged as an unexpected highlight of the discussions. While Viet Nam is known the world over for its coffee industry, the delegation noted that Sri Lanka’s climate and soil conditions make it an ideal location for cultivation and expressed interest in facilitating potential investment in coffee plantations in Sri Lanka from Vietnamese companies as well as sharing expertise. The delegation also expressed interest in opportunities across agriculture and aquaculture, logistics, textiles and garments, machinery, broader trade and investment and early direct flights.
The Ceylon Chamber is committed to carrying this progress forward and advancing deeper commercial engagement between the two countries.