Indian Business Delegations Explore Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Opportunities

Indian business delegations hold high-level discussions, explore partnerships and sign MoU to strengthen India–Sri Lanka economic ties

Two 10-member business delegations from India, representing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), visited Colombo to participate in the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, held on October 12 and 13. The visits aimed to explore trade and investment opportunities, strengthen business-to-business (B2B) connections and deepen economic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

The CII delegation, representing sectors including healthcare and pharmaceuticals, solar energy, information technology, manufacturing and footwear, held discussions with key Sri Lankan stakeholders. The delegation met Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, and senior officials of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) and the Export Development Board (EDB).

Discussions focused on investment prospects, trade opportunities and potential business collaborations in sectors of mutual interest.

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation, representing healthcare, logistics, building materials, business consultancy, information technology and tourism, also engaged with Sri Lankan officials and business representatives. The delegation met Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe and senior officials of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, while also conducting B2B meetings with Sri Lankan companies to identify potential partnerships.

As part of its programme, the delegation visited the manufacturing facilities of Nestlé and Elephant House to gain first-hand insights into industrial operations in Sri Lanka.

Both delegations also met Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha. During the discussions, the High Commissioner shared his perspectives on the Sri Lankan economy and the growing opportunities available to Indian businesses. He encouraged the visiting companies to strengthen engagement with Sri Lankan counterparts, establish business partnerships and explore further trade and investment opportunities.

The visit by the Cochin Chamber delegation forms part of the High Commission of India's ongoing efforts to promote economic and commercial engagement between India and Sri Lanka at regional and sub-national levels. These efforts include facilitating closer interaction between regional business chambers, enterprises from different parts of India and their Sri Lankan counterparts. Earlier this year, delegations from the South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and the Tamil Nadu State Council of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) also visited Sri Lanka.

In a significant development, the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 to strengthen trade and business cooperation between Kerala and Sri Lanka.

The MoU was signed by C. S. Kartha, Past President and Executive Committee Member of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Krishan Balendra, President of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The agreement seeks to promote closer commercial ties, enhanced business engagement and mutually beneficial business opportunities.

The visits of the two Indian business delegations highlight continuing efforts to strengthen India–Sri Lanka economic and commercial relations through business-to-business engagement, institutional partnerships and expanded trade and investment cooperation.