📈 SL-Nepal Business Council Launched to Boost Bilateral Ties

The Sri Lanka–Nepal Business Council (SLNBC) was officially inaugurated in Colombo to catalyze trade and investment between the two nations through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and enhanced B2B engagement. • Strategic Focus Areas The council will serve as a dynamic platform for trade, tourism, investment, and knowledge exchange. Key priorities include improving air connectivity, facilitating trade delegations, and fostering SME development. • Sector-Specific Collaboration Tourism: Plans for joint tourism packages and "culinary diplomacy" to strengthen people-to-people links. Handicrafts: Innovative proposals to blend Sri Lankan batik artistry with Nepalese thangka traditions. Investment: Leveraging existing footprints, such as Nepal’s CG Corp Global investments in Sri Lanka’s leisure (Taj Samudra) and banking (Union Bank) sectors. • Policy & Connectivity The Council launched its official website to streamline trade information and business matchmaking. Long-term goals focus on policy advocacy to reduce trade barriers and strengthening logistics connectivity to facilitate smoother cross-border flows. • Key Leadership The SLNBC is led by President Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa, supported by Vice Presidents Prof. Rohan De Silva and Ajith Perera, aiming to build commercial trust and institutional collaboration between the two economies.