Embassy of Sri Lanka in Turkey and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) jointly organized a Webinar and Business Networking Session last week in collaboration with the Turkish Economic Relations Board (DEIK). More than 85 participants attended the webinar.
Three separate matchmaking sessions were also arranged for the Sri Lankan and Turkish participants for the product and services sectors viz. Food & Beverages, Rubber Products, Industrial Gloves, Yarn, Activated Carbon, Ayurveda Products & Coco-peat, and Construction & Tourism.
The objective of this webinar and the business networking session is to increase awareness and create business linkages among the participants of both countries aiming to increase trade and promote investments and tourism. The event has resulted in creating positive contacts for rubber related products.
During the session, H.E. the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Turkey, M. Rizvi Hassen emphasized the importance of diversifying the export product sectors and requested both Sri Lankan and Turkish entrepreneurs to look into the untapped potential available in both countries in terms of creating more trade, investment and tourism.
Ambassador Hassen emphasized the importance of initiating more interactive sessions of this nature which are increasing awareness and generating connections. He also highlighted the future plans of the Sri Lanka Embassy to develop Turkey market for Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of Turkey to Sri Lanka Ms. Demet Şekercioglu, spoke during the session and encouraged Sri Lankan and Turkish companies to increase the business links between both the countries.
Speaking during the session, Mr. Prabhash Subasinghe, Chairman of EDB highlighted the current economic situation of Sri Lanka and the importance of the export sector at this juncture. He also pointed out the importance of having better market access to increase trade; He appreciated the Sri Lanka Embassy in Turkey and DEIK of Turkey for organizing this event which gives opportunity to network for the business community.
Mr. Nail Olpak, President of DEIK, Turkey invited Sri Lankan and Turkish business community to explore the potential and contribute for enhancing bilateral trade. President of Turkey – Sri Lanka Business Council, Mr. Beşir Ugur moderated the session.
The presentations on Sri Lanka’s trade relations, investment opportunities & tourism perspective were made by the EDB, BOI and SLTPB respectively. The Turkish perspective on trade and investment was shared by the Turkish Ministry of Trade.
Series of online Webinars and B2B meetings are in the pipeline to be organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Turkey with the support of EDB which could be used to continue the dialogue already created through the event for the betterment of both the countries.
