In a bid to promote bilateral trade relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, business leaders of the two countries yesterday launched Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLBCCI) in Dhaka.
S Renganathan, country manager of Commercial Bank of Ceylon in Bangladesh, was elected president of the new chamber while Harikesha Wijesekera, chief executive of Royal Park Residence, and Fahim Sinha, director of Acme Group, were elected vice presidents.
Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chuodhury and Foreign Affairs Adviser Reaz Rahman were present at the newly launched chamber's meeting. Gamini S Munasinghe, high commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh, was also present.
Addressing the function, the commerce minister urged the members of the chamber to identify areas to increase trade between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan high commissioner urged Bangladesh to take initiative to start Dhaka-Colombo direct flights.
He said at present Bangladesh- Sri Lanka annual trade volume is only $21.06 million. "But it is possible to increase the trade between the countries, if we look forward with political and economic commitment," he added.
Meanwhile, T D Packir, head of operations of Rahimafrooz Super Stores Ltd, and Athula Talagala, chief executive officer of EI and M (Bangladesh) Ltd, were elected secretary and treasurer of the chamber.
The other members of the chamber are Mohammad Salim Ullah, managing director of Jayson Group of Companies, Tanvir Assan, managing director of Track and Trade Ltd, Lalindra Wijekoon, general manager of Barcode Automation (BD) Ltd, Malek Shamsher, acting managing director of Lanka Bangla Finance, and V Wishwanath Aponsu, second secretary of Sri Lankan high commission in Bangladesh.
