Sri Lanka, Vietnam Hold Trade Forum, Direct Flights Officially Launched
The forum, jointly organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, was held alongside the State Visit of Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, with the participation of the Vietnamese President and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
The event highlighted the importance of the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries and reflected their shared commitment to expanding economic cooperation.
The main objective of the forum was to further strengthen economic ties between Sri Lanka and Vietnam by focusing on expanding trade, promoting investments and enhancing tourism cooperation.
The forum also created a platform for senior government officials, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from both countries to explore new avenues for cooperation, strengthen business-to-business connections and improve market access.
During the forum, direct flight services between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City were officially launched.
Sri Lanka - Vietnam Direct Flights Officially Launched
The services will be operated by Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air, further strengthening connectivity and people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Six Memoranda of Understanding covering key areas of cooperation were signed during the forum.
Another key development was the establishment of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Business Council under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Alongside the forum, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board organized a business networking session, providing Sri Lankan and Vietnamese businesses with opportunities for direct engagement and collaboration.
The event drew strong participation from the private sectors of both countries, with businesses expressing keen interest in expanding trade and building stable supply chains.
Representing Sri Lanka at the forum were Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi, Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development K. A. Vimalenthirarajah, and Chairman of the Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe, among others.
Meanwhile, Representing Vietnam were Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Organization Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Politburo Member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang, Politburo Member and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang, and Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, along with several senior officials.
