Ceylon Chamber launches Sri Lanka–Viet Nam Business Council to drive bilateral trade and investment

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently launched the Sri Lanka–Viet Nam Business Council (SLVBC), establishing a dedicated platform to expand trade, attract investment and build stronger commercial partnerships between Sri Lankan and Vietnamese businesses.

The launch was attended by the Ambassador of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Trinh Thi Tam, Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber Krishan Balendra, Secretary General and CEO of the Ceylon Chamber Shiran Fernando, and senior representatives of the business community and government institutions.

The Council, the 22nd bilateral business council under The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, was first announced in May 2026 at the Sri Lanka–Viet Nam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum. With 30 companies joining as inaugural members, the Council reflects growing private sector interest in strengthening commercial ties and pursuing new opportunities across both markets.

Addressing the gathering, Balendra highlighted the potential to build on the two countries’ growing economic relationship. He identified opportunities across manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, tourism, ICT, renewable energy and professional services, noting that closer business engagement could translate into greater trade and investment flows between the two countries.

Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam noted that with both countries working towards a bilateral trade target of US$ 1 billion by 2030, it is important to ensure strengthening business-to-business connections, and encouraged the Council to create opportunities for companies of all sizes. She also reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to supporting the Council’s work.

Managing Director of Andrew the Travel Company Mahen Kariyawasan was appointed inaugural President of the Council. Suranjaya Rajaguru, Director of Millennium Transportation (Pvt) Ltd, was appointed Senior Vice President, while Kamal Wimalaratne, Chief Executive Officer of Hayleys Engineering, was appointed Vice President, with Malith Thilakarathne of Nations Trust Bank PLC appointed Treasurer.

The Executive Committee will also include representatives from AgStar PLC, Aitken Spence Cargo, Hirdaramani International Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Linea Aqua (Pvt) Ltd and Maliban Biscuits (Pvt) Ltd.

In his address as the Council’s inaugural President, Kariyawasan called for a more active commercial relationship that converts longstanding ties between the two countries into tangible business outcomes. He highlighted tourism, aviation, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and logistics as areas with scope for greater cooperation, while emphasising the need to facilitate business partnerships, trade delegations and investment opportunities for both large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Sri Lanka–Viet Nam Business Council will work to connect businesses, identify market opportunities and support partnerships that can translate into increased trade and investment. Through the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Council will also provide Sri Lankan and Vietnamese enterprises with a structured channel to engage with each other and pursue new commercial ventures, strengthening the private sector’s contribution to bilateral economic relations.