Strengthening India–Sri Lanka Business and Trade Linkages: AIAI and WTC Mumbai Holds Strategic Meet with Sri Lankan Consulate
Mumbai, India – 28th November 2025
“India- Sri Lanka ties will enable us to double trade and investment over the coming years, with strategic and bilateral engagement between Indian and Sri Lankan business and investment communities”, expressed Ms. Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai who participated in a high-level exclusive round table hosted by All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and the World Trade Centre (WTC), Mumbai.
Ms. Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka, further highlighted the strengthening investment climate in Sri Lanka and the growing participation of Indian companies such as infrastructure, tourism, and services. “Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Sri Lanka has exceeded USD 5 billion in recent years, with India remaining one of Sri Lanka’s leading trade partners and Sri Lanka continuing to be an important South Asian exporter to the Indian market. Beyond goods, there is vast untapped potential in the services industry, particularly in tourism, education, healthcare, logistics, and professional services, offering immense potential and opportunities for deeper collaboration and mutually beneficial growth”.
“The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is constituted precisely for the reasons to facilitate inward and outward trade missions from Sri Lanka to the world. India remains the first stop for this board as one of our closest neighbour and trade partners”, stressed Ms. Wickramasinghe.
Extending the invitation to investment and trade companies, Ms. Wickramasinghe said, “In the coming year, Sri Lanka is excited to host major flagship events like boat and maritime show and Sri Lanka expo 26 after a break of 13 years. With your participation, these events will help both the countries further cement our trade, business and investment ties”
Ms. Kumudini Irugalbandara, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) expressing gratitude to the World Trade Centre, Mumbai said, “The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is represented in Mumbai for the first time at the World Trade Centre Mumbai, marking an important step toward strengthening export-led engagement with India. Under the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the country now exports more than 25 major product categories along with several specialised segments, reflecting Sri Lanka’s increasingly diversified export base. Under its current strategic plan, the EDB aims to raise Sri Lanka’s export earnings to around USD 6 billion in the coming years, nearly doubling its current scale, by focusing on talents and innovation to achieve our best targets”.
Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai said, “India and Sri Lanka share historical bonds which is reflected in our cultural and religious affinity. With Sri Lanka being now the only stable country in our neighbourhood, significant opportunities exist for both the countries to engage in a relation which will be beneficial to both of us”.
Recalling the signing of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Dr. Kalantri said, “AIAI and World Trade Centre, Mumbai hosted the Board of Investment, Sri Lanka on the momentous occasion when both the nations cemented their trade partnership with the signing of the FTA. However, this trade and investment momentum suffered an aberration due to some geopolitical factors. One way to do is to have sector specific focus area where Indian and Sri Lankan players have niche in the global market like tea and coffee. Another way is to focus on religious tourism both ways which will benefits local economy”.
“India and Sri Lanka should organize Make in Sri Lanka in Mumbai and Make in India in Colombo events to become a yearly event to boost traded and investment ties featuring initiatives like B2B, B2C and B2G meetings besides exhibition of merchandise products offered and opportunities for Joint Ventures.
Ms. Shirani Ariyarathne, Consul (Commercial), Sri Lankan Consulate in Mumbai expressing her gratitude to the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), World Trade Centre, Mumbai and all the participants present in the meet said, “Sri Lanka consulate and Sri Lankan government is always open to new ideas and opportunities. In recent years, for ease of transaction of investment, the government has allowed inflow of both US Dollar and Indian Rupee for investment purposes. Further, the government is also offering sector wise incentives for foreign investors The Consulate in Mumbai is always ready to help and facilitate investments into Sri Lanka. We have also established a dedicated one stop council and forum for ease of business.
The business delegation from Sri Lanka comprised companies from different sectors representing construction, engineering, infrastructure consultancy, and manufacturing.
The event saw participation of more than 150 business leaders from the Indian side engaging with the Sri Lankan side to strengthen bilateral cooperation and identify new opportunities for trade, investment, and services.
Mr. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre, Mumbai, expressed vote of thanks to the Consul General. Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Ms. Priya Pansare, Director, Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Centre, Mumbai were also presentedand interacted with the business delegation.
Ms. Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai along with (From Left to Right) Mr. Santosh Kotre, Director, Finance and Accounts, World Trade Centre, Mumbai; Ms. Priya Pansare, Director, Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Centre, Mumbai; Ms. Shirani Ariyarathne, Consul (Commercial), Sri Lankan Consulate in Mumbai; Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries;, and Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai at the Breakfast Roundtable meeting with Sri Lankan Delegation at World Trade Centre, Mumbai