New Zealand High Commission will help promote trade with Sri Lanka
Minister David Bennett at the Colombo Tea Auction while Ms. Gillian Nugara, an Assistant Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce explains the auction process.
Ahigh powered trade delegation from New Zealand led by Minister of Food Safety and Veteran Affairs David Bennett consisting of 14 companies that represent multiple sectors such as aviation, technology, health care, information technology, and specialised manufacturing was in Colombo this week for trade and investment talks with Sri Lanka. This is the third trade mission from New Zealand to arrive in the country in the last 18 months.
Tony Martin, New Zealand’s Regional Director for Sri Lanka and India, Middle East and Africa, speaking at a dinner reception in Colombo on Monday for the visiting delegation said it is an exciting time to do business with Sri Lanka as relations between the two countries have gone from strength to strength. He said the New Zealand and Sri Lankan business communities were incredibly happy by the recent discussions held between the New Zealand Minister of Trade and the Sri Lankan Prime Minister recently looking at partnerships available in Sri Lanka.
He said there is tremendous potential here in tourism for New Zealanders to explore. According to Mr. Martin, the New Zealand Trade Enterprise (NZTE) is the government’s arm of international business development agency. “Our purpose is to grow companies internationally -bigger better, faster for the benefit of New Zealand. We also work to help New Zealand companies internationally to achieve success by helping them to boost their reach and build capability.” He said a direct flight between Colombo and New Zealand will help to boost tourism in Sri Lanka
Meanwhile the new High Commissioner of New Zealand in Sri Lanka is expected to assume office following the opening of the New Zealand High Commission in Colombo soon. The two way trade between the two countries stand at around NZ$ 309 million and Sri Lanka is New Zealand’s 37th largest trading partner, up from 40th place last year. Sri Lanka’s exports to New Zealand include tea $ 21 million), retreaded tyres ($ 2.2 million) and gloves ($ 2 million).
Similarly New Zealand’s exports to Sri Lanka include milk powder ($ 233 million), butter ($ 2.6 million) and fruit ($ 2.5 million).
Representatives of the following New Zealand companies were in the delegation. Aeroqual Ltd, Airways New Zealand, Color Communications Inc Australasia Ltd, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Framecad International, International Aviation Academy of New Zealand, PanPac Forest Products Ltd, Pictor Ltd, Powershield Ltd, Precision Medicine International Ltd, Staah Ltd, Syft Technologies Ltd, Tait Communications and Vista Entertainment Solutions.