Sri Lanka courts Inverness firms for trade links

FIRMS in Inverness are being offered the opportunity to develop trade links with Sri Lanka, where the government is currently investing heavily after years of damaging civil war.

Inverness Chamber of Commerce has been approached by its counterpart in Galle, capital of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province and a centre for tourism, with a view to exchanging information and establishing contacts between companies in the two countries.

The connection has come about after a Scottish post graduate student spent some time with the Galle District Chamber Of Commerce and Industry and saw similarities with the Highland Capital.

"We are starting to look at the export potential," said Inverness chamber chief executive, Stewart Nicol. "It is the furthest advanced of several international links we have on the go."

Since the Tamil Tiger fighters were defeated two years ago, the Sri Lankan economy has grown rapidly. With tourism up by 40 per cent over the past 12 months and opportunities in fisheries, food and drink and garment manufacture, the potential is great for Highland firms. Major infrastructure schemes will also soon provide a new harbour and airport.

Mr Nicol believes it is vital Inverness companies seize the day.

"I want to get the whole international trade agenda very firmly on our members’ radar," he said. "We have got used to the idea of being part of the EU but we now need to move onto the next stage. The centre of global commerce is shifting east and we will have to export there to compete in the global market."

Inverness chamber is also building links with business organisations in India and China, but the Sri Lankan connection is currently the furthest advanced. The organisation sees its role as providing contacts for member firms and smoothing the way to developing their business abroad.

The development comes a fortnight after the SMART Exporter initiative was launched at Eden Court Theatre by finance minister John Swinney.

The one-year pilot in the Highlands and Islands, which is part-funded by the European Social Fund, will focus on providing around 500 companies and senior managers with the technical skills required to target international markets and help them prepare for export.