The Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a meeting between the its leadership and a delegation from the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, headed by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Professor, Ms. Janita A. Liyanage.
"The current situation has shown who are the true friends and revealed who are the fly-by- night partners," said the MCCI’s President, Mr. Vladimir Platonov, opening the meeting. Sri Lanka has not supported sanctions against Russia and we have every opportunity and impetus to continue developing our long-standing, good economic relations.
"No sanctions can affect our relations," stressed Ms. Janita A. Liyanage, At this time. both our countries are experiencing difficulties. Now, more than ever, close ties between our peoples and entrepreneurs are important. The Ambassador noted that Sri Lanka is ready to export to Russia traditional teas, which are the trademarks of this country, spices, textile industry products, natural rubber and rubber products, including various types of tires.
Sri Lanka is now in dire need of petroleum products, fertilisers, and wheat flour. "We have good relations with the regional Chambers of Commerce, I will contact our colleagues in the Lipetsk region, and we will try to help you with flour supplies," Mr. Platonov responded to the request.
An important topic for discussion was the issue of personnel training. "Education is the basis of any developed, powerful state," underlined the Head of the MCCI. He told the Sri Lankan guests about the MCCI’s project "International Club of Employers". "We find graduates of Soviet universities all over the world. Most of them have reached certain heights in various spheres, including business. We offer to send promising young people to study in Russia, and take part in co-financing their education. At the same time, these students can act as representatives of companies that sent them to study on our soil.
This is very profitable and promising", said the Head of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce. Currently, there are 827 Sri Lankan students studying in Russia, of whom 120 students are educated under the quota and the expense of the Russian budget. In the next two academic years, it is planned to increase the quota for students from Sri Lanka. According to Ms. Liyanage, she is fully aware of the situation with the education of Sri Lankan students in Russia, and now it is planned to resume the practice when the Embassy participates in the selection of talented young people, who have no opportunity to get a commercial education.
In addition, Sri Lanka plans to open branches of Russian universities on its territory - talks have already been held with the rector of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, who supported the idea. For its part, Sri Lanka is ready to provide land for educational institutions and supports the development of its infrastructure.
The Vice-President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Suren Vardanyan, a participant of the meeting, proposed to resume work on the a Commission for cooperation with partners from Sri Lanka under the auspices of the MCCI, as well as to hold a presentation of Sri Lankan products that entrepreneurs are ready to export to Russia with the help of the Chamber. As specified by Mr. Platonov, the Chamber has a positive experience of similar events in the online format. The parties agreed that materials - videos, presentations - of companies that are ready to enter the Russian market with their products will be sent to the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We are ready to assist in the selection of Russian partners, as well as to host businessmen from Sri Lanka to organize business meetings with potential partners," assured the guests Mr. Vardanyan.
At the end of the meeting the parties exchanged commemorative souvenirs.