About Us

For the last 25 years, SLGBC has been fostering new initiatives and areas of corporation between business communities of the two countries with the exchange of trade missions, delegations, new investments and joint ventures and have extended yeoman service to both countries.

SLGBC has been lead by eminent business leaders in the country and have contributed tremendously to the growth of German Sri Lanka business and relations. The business leaders who lead the Council were:

Mr. R Sivaratnam, Mr. H A Reuter, Mr. Senake Amarasinghe, Mr. Michael Elias, Mr. Mark Francis and Mr. Suren Ediriweera

The primary Objectives of the Sri Lanka- Germany Business Council is to

• To promote trade, tourism and services between Sri Lanka and Germany
• To encourage German investment and establishment of joint ventures in Sri Lanka between German and Sri Lanka investors.
• To exchange information on trade and investment between the two countries
• To conduct and facilitate joint meetings with German business organizations
• To promote Sri Lankan participation in international fairs in Germany.

Let me now elaborate on the history of diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. The diplomatic relations between Germany and Sri Lanka began in 1953, and this year we have reached a very important time in our country as we have a new government who is hoping to revive are ailing economy. We hope Germany will play a key role in revitalizing Sri Lanka’s economy by supporting expansion of Industry, renewable energy and skills development. With the end of the 30-year civil war in 2009, Germany became an important partner in trade, tourism and reconstruction.

Germany is the fourth most important export market for Sri Lanka. In 2022, the value of German imported goods from Sri Lanka, which mainly consist of rubber, tea and textiles, was $888 million. German exports of machinery, electrical and chemical products, and motor vehicles, amounted to $300 million. Germany is Sri Lanka's second most important investor from the EU. Investments by 51 German companies have created approximately 11,700 local jobs in Sri Lanka since 1951. In the 1950s, various trade agreements were concluded, which serve as a basis for bilateral cooperation. In 1979, a double taxation agreement was signed, which offers reduced tax rates on dividends and interest for both countries.

Tourism

Highest German visitors were reported in 2018 with visitor number of 156,888 and represented the third most important tourist group for Sri Lanka. This year we have welcomed 121,000 German tourists up till end of November 2024 and hope break the 2018 record.

Key Activities of the 2023/24

1. 1. Meet the Visa Officer
      • With the support of the Ambassador, we held a breakfast meeting with Ms. Kirsten Hardt, Head of the Legal and Consular Section to resolve a burning problem of issuing visas to business travelers. I must thank Ms. Kirsten for answering many of the misunderstandings and sharing her email for any further clarification. Also, all the help extended during the year to resolve many visa issues pertaining to our members.
   2. Changing of the Constitution
      • For several we have been discussing with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to change our constitution to accommodate several key changes. This year, I am tabling the changes we requested and that we have obtained approval from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and this AGM will accept those changes to our constitution.
        a. The amended constitution will come in to effect from 1st April 2025, from the commencement of next financial year.

        b. Introduction of Senior VP and Deputy VP positions

        c. Reduction in curing period of EXCO and Office Bearers to two years

        d. Introduction of an Advisory Committee – Consisting of Past Presidents and key contributors of SLGBC – Appointed by the EXCO

        e. Increase of Total number of years to serve as an EXCO Member and an Office Bearer (unless elected as a President) to 10 years.

        f. Increase of term of an Office Bearer to 02 years with succession.

   3. Partnering German Embassy activities
      • Ladies and Gentlemen, we are entering a very crucial period of our country’s economic journey, as we have a tremendous responsibility to improve our trade and investments from Germany to much higher levels to help our country get out of the difficulties we are facing today.
      • We as the Sri Lanka German Business council would like assure the you that we will do our utmost to increase our trade and investment with Germany and with German companies.
      • Finally, I would like to mention that our council will work closely with AHK and the German Embassy to promote business activities and relations between the two countries.

Thank you.