Sri Lanka’s exports to the US amounted to US$ 3 billion in 2015 which was 27 percent of total Sri Lanka exports, a 7 percent increase YoY, US Ambassador Atul Keshap said.
Addressing the Sri Lanka - USA Business Council which was launched in Colombo on Tuesday, he said the relations between US and Sri Lanka were all time high and the newly formed Sri Lanka - USA Business Council will help in further promoting trade and investment between the two countries. The US also accounts for almost half of Sri Lanka’s apparel exports, Keshap said.
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US Ambassador Atul Keshap launching the Sri Lanka-USA Business Council website.
Pictures by Vipula Amarasinghe
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Since 1956 the United States has provided more than US$ 2 billion in development and humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.
The US government’s development assistance package in 2015 to Sri Lanka was nearly US$ 60 million, he said.
Sri Lanka is ideally positioned right on the most important sealines of communication in the Indian Ocean and the Colombo port and Sri Lanka in general is safe for doing business, the ambassador said. The Sri Lanka Investment and Business Conclave 2017 will be held from May 30 to June 1, revealed Ceylon Chamber of Commerce CEO, Dhara Wijayatilake said.
The US government’s mutual goal is not just to strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries but also to help improve Sri Lanka’s trade, investment and labour rules to encourage foreign direct investments and provide economic benefits and jobs to the Sri Lankan people.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva said the setting up of this body was a welcome move and wil help to further promote trade. He said since the election of the government in 2015, it has made important progress on democracy, reconciliations, rule of law and freedom of expression.
These changes have created new trade and investment opportunities between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world laying the foundation for new markets, new industries and new jobs.
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