RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO – The Embassy of Nepal in Colombo hosted the ceremonial launch of the Sri Lanka–Nepal Business Council (SLNBC) on Thursday April 3 in Colombo.
The formal installation ceremony was marked by the gracious presence of His Excellency Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, the Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, foreign diplomats and dignitaries, representatives from the Embassy of Nepal in Colombo, leading Sri Lankan and Nepalese business leaders and entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders currently engaged in bilateral trade and investment.
The SLNBC envisions to be the catalyst in creating sustainable trade and investment in the Nepal-Sri Lanka trade lane. The establishment aims to unlock current and future business opportunities through strong public-private partnerships for the shared prosperity of Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Council will serve as a dynamic platform to promote trade, tourism, investment, and knowledge exchange between the two nations.
The distinguished guests of the milestone event were welcomed by Prof. Rohan De Silva, the Senior Vice President elect of SLNBC. Speaking at the inauguration, His Excellency Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, the Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka highlighted the formation of the Sri Lanka–Nepal Business Council as a reflection of a renewed commitment to unlocking the untapped potential between the two economies. By strengthening institutional and private sector collaboration, there would be creation of meaningful opportunities for businesses in both countries. He also emphasised on the commitment of government from both the countries to create an enabling environment for trade and investment with a continued support towards strengthening institutional frameworks, reducing barriers, and fostering policies that support business growth and cross-border collaboration.
The President elect of SLNBC – Mr. Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa shared his key insights on tourism with Nepal and beyond. He emphasized that the foundation of any successful bilateral partnership lies in building strong commercial trust between the two nations. He highlighted the immense potential for collaboration by blending rich craft traditions—such as Sri Lankan batik artistry and Nepalese thangka painting—to create unique cultural and economic value. Underscoring the role of culinary diplomacy, he noted how shared gastronomic experiences can deepen people-to-people connections while opening new business avenues. He further stressed the importance of developing joint tourism packages to promote both destinations collectively, alongside enhancing logistics corridors to ensure smoother, more efficient trade flows. Together, these strategic priorities, he remarked, would pave the way for a more dynamic and mutually beneficial economic relationship between Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Ajith D. Perera, the Vice-President elect shared the big idea behind setting up the SLNBC. He highlighted the immediate priorities, including enhancing business-to-business (B2B) networking, improved air connectivity, promoting sector-specific collaborations – particularly in tourism, small and medium enterprises, handicraft and artisan products and facilitating trade delegations between the two countries. In a longer term, the Council also aims to enable the business environment through policy advocacy, recognition for the trading fraternity and development of regional tourism mechanisms.
Nirvana Chaudhary, a prominent Nepali entrepreneur and Managing Director of CG Corp Global who has played a significant role in expanding the Group’s long-standing investment footprint in Sri Lanka with over three decades of engagement also shared his special message of further reinforcing the growing interest in cross-border collaboration. He congratulated on the historic milestone of the formation of the SLNBC and shared his willingness on behalf of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) to facilitate the business collaboration between the businesses of Sri Lanka and Nepal. Notably, CG Corp Global’s investments in Sri Lanka include landmark ventures such as Taj Samudra, stakes in Union Bank of Colombo, and partnerships in the leisure and automotive sectors.
Shailendra Shrestha, who is actively engaged in the artisanal and heritage protection initiatives in Nepal shared the need to strategically position handicrafts as premium, high-value products in both Sri Lankan and Nepalese markets, moving beyond a purely souvenir-based perception. Emphasizing the role of the SLNBC, he pointed out that the Council is well placed to facilitate partnerships, create platforms for market exposure, and support capacity-building initiatives, thereby enabling SMEs in both countries to elevate their craftsmanship and compete in more sophisticated, global markets.
At the inaugural event, the Sri Lanka–Nepal Business Council (SLNBC) also officially launched its website, www.slnbc.org, as a dedicated digital platform to enhance connectivity and engagement among members, stakeholders, and potential partners. The website aims to serve as a central hub for information on bilateral trade opportunities, Council initiatives, upcoming events, and membership details, while also facilitating knowledge sharing and business matchmaking between Sri Lanka and Nepal. Through this platform, SLNBC seeks to strengthen communication, promote collaboration, and support the growth of cross-border partnerships between the two countries.
The event was concluded with Vote of Thanks by . Vijay Kumar Raut, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal followed by a networking session. With guidance and support from the Embassy of Nepal in Colombo, the Sri Lanka–Nepal Business Council is poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral economic relations and driving sustainable growth.
