1st Sri Lanka Tourism, Investment and Trade Promotion Forum Organised by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila in the Philippines
Dusit Thani Hotel , Manila, 08-09 July, 2010

Sri Lanka Philippine Bilateral relations have been cordial and healthy for the past four decades and today more opportunities are open for further strengthening existing relations between the two countries through accelerated bilateral trade, investment and tourism. Further, the Philippines proved to be a market with high potential, not only for inbound tours, but also for the outbound tourism as well. The number of Filipinos visiting South Asian countries for leisure and pleasure has been rising annually. Simultaneously, trade and investment has been flourishing and more economic and political relations are being forged between the Philippines and those countries. Further, a number of Philippine entrepreneurs/investors are looking for investment abroad, specially in the tourism and entertainment sector based on their expertise and financial capacity in the trade.

In this back drop, it is apparent that facilitating such visits by interested parties and business groups etc; in the Philippines to Sri Lanka through a concerted effort by stakeholders, i.e.; the Sri Lankan government and the private sector as well, would help foster existing bilateral relations between the two countries and further strengthen them through new people to people contacts.

Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, recently emphasised on the need of forging closer relations with the South East Asian countries and requested the respective Missions in the region to launch re-invigorated efforts towards achieving this goal, based on a one year Action Plan commencing from 1st July, 2010.

1st Sri Lanka Tourism, Investment and Trade Promotion Forum in Manila 8th & 09th July, 2010

The first item of the said Action Plan, has thus been translated into action, by this Mission, with the sponsorship of public and private partnership in Sri Lanka and a two day promotional programme will be held in Manila at Dusit Thani hotel on 8-9 July, 2010.

Accordingly several private sector Sri Lankan tour operators and also a representative from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTB) will meet their counterparts, i.e.; the Philippines tour operators on the July 8th forum opened for a selected number of travel related entrepreneurs in Manila and Cebu. In addition to the Tourist Board Representative from Sri Lanka, a representative from the Board of investment (BOI) in Sri Lanka too has been invited. He is expected to brief the two gatherings, which includes prospective investors as well, on the new openings in the travel trade, specially in the north eastern Sri Lanka, aftermath of the war.

The total number of participants expected for the event is one hundred (100) with the PTAA (Philippine Travel Agents Association) confirming the participation of its fifty members. Ambassador Francis Chua, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries will grace the event on 08th July, 2010, as the chief guest.

Hosting of the Consular Corps of the Philippines and other entrepreneurs

The second day, 9th July is dedicated for the Consular Corps in the Philippines, which represents a cross section of the corporate sector, who are now looking forward to visit Sri Lanka on a pleasure trip and the visit has been tentatively scheduled for August/September 2010. The Embassy is preparing a tour programme for them in consultation with the said private sector tour operators of Sri Lanka who will attend the forum. In addition to the Consular Corps, other entrepreneurs also have been invited to the event and the number of participants expected is one hundred, (100). Hon. Mm. Amelia Ablaza, Dean of the Consular Corps of the Philippines will be the chief guest of the event on 9th July, 2010.

Both the events on 8th and 9th will be followed by dinner and the high lights of the evenings will be the media presentation/briefing, with latest video documentaries on tourist destinations, shopping facilities and entertainment centres, traditional and modern dances of Sri Lanka etc; and presentation of souvenirs to the participants.

In parallel to the above event a Sri Lankan gem and jewellery exhibition also will be held at the same venue on 9th July, 2010 from 2.00 – 5.30 pm.

At this juncture, the Trade Chambers of both the countries, corporate sector, friends and well wishers are cordially invited to join hands with us in this effort to promote Sri Lanka in the Philippines. The Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila welcomes your guidance, and support in organising such promotional events in future, conducive for closer bilateral relations between the two countries.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manila

01st July, 2010

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