A visit of leading entrepreneurs from the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce (SGCCI) offers prospects of increased Indian investment and trade.
Representatives of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce (SGCCI) were hosted by Minister of Development Strategies and Investment Promotion, Malik Samarawickrama at the Ministry last week. Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara was also present.
Assisting the Minister were Secretary, Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, H.M. Kodikara, Chairman of the Board of Investment(BOI) of Sri Lanka, Mangala Yapa and senior officials from the BOI and from the Ministry.
The discussions centered on enhancing Indian investments and trade, particularly from the Southern Gujarat area to Sri Lanka. This visit was a result of a recent official mission to Gujarat by Minister Samarawickrama and BOI officials.
Gujarat is the world leader in the production (35%) and export (60%) of cotton. The State is also the third largest producer of denim material. The Business Delegation was lead by Ketan Paragli Desai, the current President.
Minister Samarawickrama briefed the Gujarat side on the efforts made by the Government to build an economic climate which is investor friendly. Given the very large scale of many of India’s enterprises, the Minister stressed the need for Indian and Sri Lankan enterprises to work together.