Increasing Trade and Investment with Sri Lanka a Priority – Norwegian Envoy

The promotion of business cooperation between the Nordics and Sri Lanka remains an
important and relevant priority, Ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka Trine
Jøranli Eskedal emphasized, at the recent Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka NORDIC
Business Council (SLNBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Strategic partnerships and investments in areas such as clean and sustainable energy, ICT and
shipping will also help Sri Lanka to emerge from the current economic crisis and more
forward, she said, adding that SLNBC continues to act as a vital link facilitating opportunities
for cooperation in terms of trade, investment and private sector-led growth between Sri
Lanka and NORDIC partner countries.

Referring to recent positive developments related to addressing the economic crisis, Outgoing
President of the Council Prasath Mahalingam said the Council would continue to work to
create opportunities for trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the Nordics, including
organizing more events such as a recent knowledge-sharing session between SLNBC Member
organizations and Sri Lankan ICT companies on overcoming entry barriers to the Norwegian
market.

Jehan Perinpanayagam of Infomate (Pvt) Ltd was elected as President of Sri
Lanka–NORDIC Business Council (SLNBC) at the 21 st Annual General Meeting.

SLNBC was inaugurated in 2001 to promote trade, tourism, investment and services between
Sri Lanka and the partnering countries and the council continues to act as the vital link
between the countries, to develop new initiatives and areas or corporation in terms of trade,
tourism and investment. The SLNBC membership compromise a wide spectrum of
companies engaged in infrastructure, logistics and services, financial services, tourism and
leisure, import and export trading, manufacturing, ICT and telecommunication.