The Sri Lanka–Benelux Business Council (SLBBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 30th Annual General Meeting recently at the Colombo Club, Taj Samudra, Colombo.
Outgoing President Sajith Wijenayake reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment links between Sri Lanka and the Benelux region. He underscored the importance of promoting responsible business practices and exploring opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. He also stressed the need to organise a long-pending business promotion mission to the Netherlands, noting that such an initiative would significantly boost collaboration and investment.
Newly elected President Farhath Amith outlined the Council’s priorities for the year ahead, focusing on expanding trade, tourism, investment and sectoral partnerships across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. He highlighted the importance of Benelux support to extend the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) SME compliance deadline to December 2026, as many Sri Lankan smallholders require additional time to meet sustainability standards.
Mr. Amith also noted strong potential for collaboration in floriculture and for the revival of Sri Lanka’s cocoa industry through investment and technology sharing. Sri Lanka is seeking deeper engagement with European partners to drive sectoral development and diversify foreign exchange earnings. Belgium, as a leading global producer of value-added chocolate and major cocoa importer, was encouraged to consider opportunities to support cocoa cultivation in Sri Lanka. Luxembourg, with its strengths in IT and logistics, was invited to explore partnerships in developing Sri Lanka as a regional IT hub and in supporting port-related infrastructure growth.
He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening B2B engagement, supporting SMEs, and advancing bilateral economic cooperation.
Shaameel Mohideen of Spillburg Holdings (Pvt) Ltd was appointed Senior Vice President, while P. M. Abeysekara of Vinu International Trading Company (Pvt) Ltd was appointed Vice President. Committee members were elected from the National Technology Development Corporation Society, Universal Travel Bureau, Thames Education Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd, Euroaqua Link (Pvt) Ltd and Ningbo Marketing Company (Pvt) Ltd.
Mr. Sajith Wijenayake of Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd will continue to serve on the committee as Immediate Past President.
For membership inquiries, contact the Secretariat of the Sri Lanka–Benelux Business Council at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, No. 50, Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2.
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