U.S. Ambassador and Ceylon Chamber Explore New Avenues for Trade and Investment

• 14 Aug 2025
• 0

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomed U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung for a high-level courtesy visit this week, aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.

Ambassador Chung met with Chamber Chairman Krishan Balendra, Vice Chairman Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Deputy Vice Chairman Vinod Hirdaramani, Secretary General and CEO Buwanekabahu Perera, and other senior representatives. Discussions centred on unlocking new economic opportunities between Sri Lanka and the United States, with a focus on trade facilitation, investment promotion, and enhancing competitiveness.

Congratulating Mr. Balendra on his recent appointment, Ambassador Chung reaffirmed the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to deeper engagement with the Chamber, recognising its pivotal role as Sri Lanka’s leading private sector representative. She also praised the Sri Lankan Government’s constructive approach in trade negotiations with the United States, aimed at fostering a fair and reciprocal relationship.

Highlighting shifting global trade dynamics, Ambassador Chung noted that U.S. companies are increasingly looking to South Asia, positioning Sri Lanka as a promising destination. She encouraged policy reforms to reduce non-tariff barriers, improve openness, and boost investor confidence.

Mr. Balendra outlined the Chamber’s continued collaboration with the Government to improve the ease of doing business and address investment hurdles. He invited a U.S. delegation to the upcoming Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit, scheduled for 2–3 December at the Shangri-La Colombo. In return, Ambassador Chung invited the Chamber to coordinate a business mission to the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland from 3–6 May 2026.

Tourism was also identified as a high-growth sector. Mr. Balendra emphasised the need for coordinated destination marketing, while Ambassador Chung pointed to improved infrastructure as key to sustaining visitor growth.

Both parties committed to ongoing engagement to advance practical initiatives that strengthen trade, attract investment, and deepen U.S.–Sri Lanka economic cooperation.

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