New Zealand business delegation to visit Sri Lanka next week
View(s):Seventeen New Zealand companies are visiting Sri Lanka next week looking at business opportunities, including the provision of higher education, and trade links, between the two countries.
New Zealand’s two-way trade with Sri Lanka is worth NZ$323 million with milk powder, fruit and butter being New Zealand’s top exports. New Zealand companies says they are ready to partner with Sri Lanka in a range of industries such as food and beverage, aviation, transport and logistics, specialized manufacturing, creative services and education.
“The success of our exporters is underpinned by the development of good relationships and continuous innovation in technology and systems,” says Grahame Morton, High Commissioner to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, in a media release.
He said Sri Lankans and New Zealanders find common experience as citizens of island nations with proximity to larger country neighbours, and a shared love for the natural environment, cricket and rugby. “As New Zealand’s focus on the region grows, our relationship with Sri Lanka provides a good base for future expansion,” said Mr. Morton.
Five education institutions are joining the business delegation, all offering New Zealand qualifications which are in demand in the job market and ensuring work-ready graduates. The visiting Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) will seek to engage with Sri Lankan education providers as well as corporates and industry to showcase their offerings and establish mutually beneficial linkages.
The delegation will be led by former New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Sir Don McKinnon ONZ GCVO.
The following New Zealand companies are in the delegation: ETI Dynamics, DGL International Powder Coatings, Fisher & Pykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd, Eastern Institute of Technology, Genomic and Personalised Medicine Ltd, International Aviation Academy of New Zealand, Maxiloda Ltd, NORTHEC, Patton Refrigeration India Pvt Ltd, Powershield Ltd, QualityNZ, Southern Institute of Technology, Tait Communications, Unitec Institute of Technology, Vista Entertainment Solutions, WAML Group, Wellington Institute of Technology and Whitireia New Zealand.