Ambassador of France Jean-François Pactet with Lanka – France Business Council Officials
France assisted with establishing Sri Lanka’s Committee of Official Creditors, which it co-chairs with Japan and India, and is playing a key role in the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s external official bilateral debt, Ambassador of France Jean-François Pactet told the 19th Annual General Meeting, of the Lanka – France Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held recently.
France, through the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Ministry of Economy continues to develop its cooperation through grants in order to finance technical assistance in the agriculture, renewable energy, and marine sectors in Sri Lanka.
Detailing several planned initiatives in these sectors, Ambassador Pactet that the Economic Department of the French Embassy is keen to work actively with the SLFBC to continue developing bilateral trade and investment.
He mentioned the dynamism of Sri Lankan exports to France in 2022, resulting in a growing trade surplus of 432 M€ in favour of Sri Lanka and his will to rebalance the bilateral trade by developing French exports to Sri Lanka.
President of the SLFBC, Ashiq Lafir, who was re-elected to lead the Council for the year 2023/24, highlighted the Council’s activities over the past year, including meetings with the new Ambassador, signing of an MoU with the European Chamber of Commerce, networking events as well as activities related to commemorating the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations between France and Sri Lanka.
He added that the SLFBC is committed to fostering stronger trade, investment, and tourism ties between Sri Lanka and France and looks forward to continuing its efforts in the coming year.
