May 09, 2006

The European Chamber of Commerce launches the European Business Facilitation Centre

The European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL) introduced a European Business Facilitation Center on 9 th May 2006 . The Chief Guest for this occasion was Mr. Julian Wilson, Head of Delegation Ambassador – Delegation of the European Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives .

The primary objective of this Centre is to provide professional advice and information to visiting European companies to Sri Lanka . For many such companies, especially small to medium enterprises (SMEs), EBFC will be a one-stop-shop for obtaining the right information and advice, which otherwise could be time-consuming and costly. The EBFC offers convenience, reliability, and comfort for those European companies that are coming to Sri Lanka for the first time for business purposes.

The EBFC’s aim is to be a facilitator to the visiting European companies. EBFC is manned by professional staff, who will provide information and advice on various subjects such as, setting up business in Sri Lanka , country and industry specific information and obtaining relevant government approvals.

Inaugurating the EBFC, Mr Julian Wilson said that this kind of Business Facilitation Centre will further enhance trade between EU and Sri Lanka and congratulated the President of the ECCSL, Koenraad Pringiers, on its launch. The event was graced by the EU diplomatic community in Sri Lanka , Delegation of the European Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives , the Board of Directors of the ECCSL and well-wishers of the ECCSL.

The EBFC provides the following services to visiting European companies; assist in finding business partners, arrange business meetings, verify credentials of local companies, assist in trade negotiations (contracts, join venture agreements), assist in providing legal advice, provide business center/ secretarial service facilities such as the use of meeting rooms, photocopying and logistics, provide investor related information and assist in obtaining relevant government approvals.

The ECCSL recently moved to its new office premises located Deanstone Place in Colpetty. In addition to the EBFC, the spacious new premises houses a library with access to the latest economic, legal, technical and financial information that is needed to assist investment and trade planning decisions of individuals and companies.

For more information contact the ECCSL on 2375486.

Contact: Sujeevan Perera on 2375486 (Monday-Friday/8.30am – 5pm)