Business promotion mission to Indonesia aims at strengthening trade, investment

The Sri Lanka–Indonesia Business Council (SLIBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce successfully conducted a business promotion mission to Indonesia last week with the primary aim to strengthen trade, investment, and business ties between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, while exploring opportunities for collaboration in key industries.

The delegation comprised 14 Sri Lankan business professionals representing diverse sectors, including food & beverage, logistics, pharmaceuticals, apparel, travel, IT, and recreation industries. The mission was led by Vish Govindasamy and D. S. Wickramasingha, respective President and Vice President of the SLIBC.

The delegation participated in various business fora, expos, and meetings with key stakeholders in Indonesia’s trade and business sectors. A focal point of the visit was the Indonesia–South and Central Asia (INASCA) Business Forum 2024, organised by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The forum provided a platform to discuss emerging trade opportunities and partnerships between Indonesia and the South and Central Asian region, with a special focus on food security, health, and technology.

President SLIBC, Govindasamy, participated in a high-level panel discussion on “Food Security and Health,” alongside speakers including. Mukashev Baltabek, CEO of Eurasian Group Companies, Eddy Martono, Chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association, and Yuliana Indriati, Director of Business Development at PT Bio Farma. This panel emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in ensuring sustainable food security and addressing health challenges.

A Business Networking Session hosted by the Association of Sri Lankans Living in Indonesia (ASLI), and Sri Lankan Embassy in Jakarta, provided an excellent opportunity for delegates to engage with Sri Lankan entrepreneurs based in Indonesia. The delegation also attended the 39th Trade Expo Indonesia which is one of Indonesia’s largest and most important platforms showcasing the country’s industrial capabilities, emerging business opportunities, and its role as a regional economic hub. The Expo provided Sri Lankan delegates with a firsthand look at the breadth of Indonesia’s market potential and the opportunities for collaboration across multiple sectors.  The delegation also visited MM2100 Industrial Town in Cikarang, Indonesia, where they gained valuable insights into Indonesia’s industrial developments.

The delegation also met with the Chairperson and board members of the Indonesia Employers’ Association (APINDO), engaging in productive discussions aimed at enhancing trade and business relations between the two countries.

The mission was coordinated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta with other Indonesian Ministries. SriLankan Airlines served as the official airline partner for the mission.

Sunshine Holdings, CBL Investments, Aitken Spence Travels, CBL Global Foods, Hayleys, Hemas Pharmaceuticals, Itechro Private, MAS Capital (Intimates Division) PT Macksons Mandiri Indonesia and LOLC Technologies participated.