The Sri Lanka – France Business Council (SLFBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 21st Annual General Meeting on 8th July, with His Excellency Rémi Lambert, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the patron of the Council, in attendance as the Chief Guest.
Andre Fernando, Chairman of MAC Group, was re-elected as President of the Council. He will be supported by Jonathan Suppiah of Inter Air Sea and Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, as Senior Vice President, and Shaameel Mohideen of Spillburg Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, as Vice President. The Council’s Committee Members for the year include representatives from Puritas (Pvt) Ltd, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC, Mack Air (Pvt) Ltd, Noyon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, and CEVA Logistics.
In his address, Mr. Fernando highlighted tourism and investment as two strategic avenues through which the Council is working to deepen engagement between the two nations. He shared that discussions are ongoing to bring a well-known French sports personality to Sri Lanka to assist with tourism promotion, supported by exposure across French media platforms. On the investment front, he noted that the Council is in talks to attract France-based investors operating in India to explore opportunities for expansion into Sri Lanka. These initiatives are part of the groundwork laid over the past year, with the aim of achieving positive outcomes in the medium to long term.
Ambassador Rémi Lambert’s address focused on his diplomatic vision, with the three key pillars of economic collaboration, maritime, logistics & aviation and tourism guiding France–Sri Lanka cooperation.
He highlighted ongoing support provided through the Regional Maritime Training Centre, which trains Sri Lankan coastguards, customs, and officials on matters of maritime safety and security – with the aim of developing Sri Lanka as a logistics hub in the Indian Ocean.
For information on obtaining membership of the SLFBC, please contact 011 5588840 or ccc.trade@chamber.lk.