Chamber to host trade talks with Sri Lankan delegation

Greater Birmingham businesses will have the opportunity to create new trade links with Sri Lanka during a series of B2B meetings in September.

A delegation of Sri Lankan businesses - led by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) - is visiting Birmingham on 14 September for talks surrounding the UK 's new Developing Countries Trading Schemes (DCTS).

The DCTS - which came into effect on 19 June - is a post-Brexit initiative designed to simplify trading rules and cut tariffs on products from developing countries.

It covers 65 countries, including Sri Lanka, many of whom are looking to diversify and increase exports.

Sri Lanka already exports goods such as clothing, footwear, tea, spices, fish, solid tyres, rubber products, bicycles and coconut products to the UK.

The South-East Asian nation has also identified potential product streams such as ready to drink tea, rubber surgical gloves, pet food, boats and ship building under the new DCTS.

Read more information on the DCTS, along with relevant analysis of imports and exports.

Mandy Haque, international director at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We look forward to working with Sri Lanka 's High Commission and National Chamber of Exports on this event, which will provide companies here in Greater Birmingham with an opportunity to explore and expand the business relations with Sri Lanka. ”

Greater Birmingham businesses who would like to find out more about the event should contact Mandy Haque on [email protected]

Pictured: Mandy Haque (middle) with Somasena Mhadiulwewa and Gaya Senaratne from the Sri Lankan High Commission in London