Friday, October 15, 2010

Over 100,000 British tourists expected

Charumini DE SILVA

British High Commission in Sri Lanka expects over 100,000 British tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka this year.

"In tourism, we expect well over 100,000 British nationals to visit Sri Lanka during this year representing the largest group of Western tourists to Sri Lanka whilst contributing to the success of the Sri Lankan tourism industry. UK is the natural choice for investors that are looking for new business partnerships or opportunities," Deputy British High Commissioner, Mark Gooding said.

He was speaking at a seminar on UK and Sri Lanka: Partners in prosperity organized by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan exports to the UK are worth of US$ one billion a year.

UK companies provide over US$ 300 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka and over 100 UK affiliated companies operate in Sri Lanka.

“The UK is a gateway to the European market. As a member of the European Union (EU), UK provides access to the single biggest common market in the world. Many Sri Lankan companies are already benefitting from collaboration with the UK,” he said.

The Deputy High Commissioner said the economic recovery in UK has given UK and Sri Lanka a historic opportunity to create new business partnerships and further increase two way trade and investment in the fast growing business environment. “The British High Commission is committed to support this process and stands ready to assist UK and Sri Lankan companies in building prosperity together”, Gooding said.

He said the British High Commission provides extensive market support to British companies eager to invest in Sri Lanka from 150 million pounds to 200 million pounds and is developing a new business express visa program for companies whose staff need to travel regularly to the UK. “It is clear that the UK and Sri Lanka already enjoy extensive business partnerships across many sectors. With annual Gross Domestic Production (GDP) growth rates already of eight percent in Sri Lanka the potential for a sustained period of economic growth and investment in the future is clearly high”, the envoy said.

source - www.dailynews.lk

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