CCIB to strengthen SL–Romania tourism, investment links
The newly established Colombo representative office of the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB) could play an important role in strengthening economic, tourism and investment ties between Sri Lanka and Romania, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said.
Addressing the opening ceremony in Colombo yesterday (18), Prof. Ranasinghe said Romania had emerged as an important destination for Sri Lankan youth seeking employment opportunities, while tourism remained another important avenue for generating foreign exchange and strengthening economic relations between the two countries.
“Romania is one of our leading destinations for our youth in search of green pastures, and also tourism. So these two sources of foreign income significantly contribute to the future and the development of the Sri Lankan economy,” he said.
He said the Government was paying close attention to both foreign employment and tourism while working to further develop Sri Lanka’s international relationships. Prof. Ranasinghe said the new Chamber could become a central platform for expanding cooperation between the two countries by facilitating investment, tourism and employment opportunities.
“So the Chamber, I think, could be the central hub of attracting investments, promoting tourism, attracting employment opportunities for our youth here, and also initiating and establishing new connections,” he said.
He stressed that such initiatives should ultimately create mutually beneficial opportunities for both Sri Lanka and Romania, particularly by connecting businesses, investors and other stakeholders in the two countries. The Deputy Minister expressed his appreciation to the Romanian Ambassador, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Romania and members of the respective communities for their efforts in establishing the Chamber. He added the Government looked forward to maintaining and strengthening relations between the two countries, with the new Chamber providing an additional platform for closer engagement.
“As the Ministries of Tourism and from the Foreign Ministry, once again my heartfelt congratulations and all the very best for a very successful future ahead,” Prof. Ranasinghe said. He added that Sri Lanka was keen to establish and maintain a “very good and strong relationship” with Romania, particularly through initiatives that could generate economic opportunities and contribute to the country’s future development.
The opening of the CCIB’s Colombo office comes at a time when Sri Lanka is seeking to diversify tourism markets, attract greater investment and expand international economic partnerships. The Deputy Minister’s remarks therefore placed particular emphasis on using stronger international partnerships to create opportunities beyond simply increasing tourist arrivals, including through investment, employment and tourism-related economic activity.
Bucharest Chamber opens Colombo office to deepen Sri Lanka–Romania business ties
The opening of the representative office of the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB) in Colombo will provide a new platform to strengthen trade, investment and business cooperation between Sri Lanka and Romania, the Romanian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mihaela Rutjens said.
Addressing the opening ceremony in Colombo yesterday (18), the Ambassador said there was a genuine interest in developing economic relations between the two countries, but considerable potential remained untapped.
“Our two countries have long-standing and friendly relations. Next year we will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations between our countries. Yet, economic cooperation can and should occupy a more prominent place within this relationship,” the Ambassador said.
She identified trade, investment and sectoral cooperation, including tourism, as areas offering opportunities for greater engagement, noting that companies in both countries are increasingly looking beyond their traditional markets. However, she stressed that turning business interest into concrete projects requires more than simply identifying opportunities.
“It requires context, local knowledge, continuity, and above all, trust,” she said. The Ambassador said the physical presence of a Romanian business organisation in Colombo would therefore be important for companies seeking to enter or explore the Sri Lankan market.
“For a Romanian company considering Sri Lanka, having a reliable point of contact on the ground can provide a better understanding of the local business environment and facilitate connections with potential partners,” Rutjens further said.
She also encouraged Sri Lankan companies to look more closely at Romania, its economy and the opportunities available through its position within the European single market.
The Ambassador said Romania’s broader economic and commercial policies placed emphasis on the internationalisation of Romanian companies, diversification of external markets, stronger economic relations and closer cooperation between public institutions and the private sector.
Rutjens noted that the Romanian Embassy in Colombo would continue to support this process through economic diplomacy, facilitating dialogue, connecting relevant authorities and organisations and supporting business missions and exchanges.
“A Chamber of Commerce brings something equally necessary, direct access to the business community and an understanding of what entrepreneurs need in order to move from interest to action,” she added.
The Ambassador said the Embassy, the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sri Lankan partners could work in a complementary manner by combining their networks and expertise to build stronger and more diversified economic relations.“I therefore hope that this office will become a practical meeting point for Romanian and Sri Lankan businesses,” she said, expressing hope that the opening would lead to business delegations, direct company-to-company contacts and, ultimately, concrete partnerships.
Source: Daily News