A meeting with representatives of the Sri Lankan Garment Exporters Association was held at the MCCI with the participation of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Madam Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage.
The Sri Lankans were welcomed by Mr. Vladimir Platonov, the President of the MCCI: "I would like to thank you, Madam Ambassador, for your informal approach toward your activities. Not all diplomats realise the importance and significance of such direct contacts with business communities". He added that Russian businessmen, interested in working with Sri Lanka, as well as representatives of the executive branch of the government, were invited to the meeting at the Moscow Chamber, which leads us to expect a successful development of cooperation.
Madam Janitha Abeywickrem Liyanage, in turn, expressed her gratitude to the President of the MCCI for the respectful attitude towards Sri Lanka. She said that her country has a well-developed textile industry, "We have many companies with well-trained staff. Many European companies have left the Russian market, but our country is ready to fill these gaps!”.
Sri Lanka Garment Exporters Association’s President, Mr. Indika Liyanahewage, said that his industry can import high quality products to our country at "pleasant" prices, but there is the problem of customs duties, after payment of which the price becomes "not too pleasant" for the Russian consumer.
Mr. Platonov expressed confidence that, based on the results of this meeting, the MCCI will work out concrete proposals, including the issues of customs tariffs.
Ms. Irina Ryzhova, the Deputy of the General Director of of the JSC “Textilexpo", spoke about the international exhibition “Textillegprom", which is held annually and invited representatives of the Garment Exporters Association of Sri Lanka to take part in it, "The main distinctive feature of our exhibition is to provide a full cycle from raw materials and equipment to finished products of textile and light industry.
Then all the entrepreneurs from the capital, who attended the meeting, had an opportunity to present their businesses and discuss possible areas of co-operation between Moscow and Sri Lankan entrepreneurs involved in the textile industry.