The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Sri
Lanka will be participating in the Spring Meeting of the Asia
Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) next
month. The APCAC Conference will be held in the Province of
Guangdong China.
The AMCHAM delegation will be led by the
Chamber’s Executive Director, Maria Rajanayagam, who says "The
one week program which our Guangdong office has arranged is
simply outstanding. The delegates who will be joining would
never get this type of opportunity in that the program is a
perfect blend of meetings, networking and experiences of the
Provinces development and growth".
The Province of Guangdong has become responsible
for more than 35% of China’s GDP producing more than US$ 400
billion per year in imports and exports. Last year alone China’s
direct foreign investment exceeded over US$ 59 billion.
Maria also commented that "this is the first
time ever where all 25 AMCHAM’s in the Asia Pacific region will
be represented". The visit will offer an excellent opportunity
for business leaders in Sri Lanka to further establish relations
with American business in the region as well as create trade
relationships with key business and Government officials in
China.
Meetings include the various local Chambers of
Commerce and Associations. The delegation will be hosted by
Zhuhai Municipal Government, Chief Executive of Macau, Shanghai,
CIFT, Xiamen, Shenzhen Municipal Governments and Board of
Investment
Promotion.
The Vice Premier of China, Minister of Commerce,
Guangdong Govenor and other officials will also attend.
The Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of
Commerce consists of 25 American Chambers from 21 Asia Pacific
Countries, including Sri Lanka, representing more than 34,000
American invested companies in the Asia Pacific region. The
membership manages in excess of USD$ 400 Billion and direct
investments of USD$ 200 Billion.
The Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of
Commerce offers members an opportunity to participate in
activities that promote trade-related issues specific to the
region. American Chambers worldwide are engaged in an initiative
of creating business linkages among countries.
Maria says these visits, apart from building
business, are also a means of taking a positive image of Sri
Lanka to the region and the world. The American Chamber of
Commerce in Sri Lanka brings together over 285 Sri Lankan and
American Companies based in Sri Lanka engaged in trade, business
and investment activities between the two countries. AmCham in
Sri Lanka is associated with the US Chamber of Commerce which is
the largest business federation in the US – representing the
interests of over 3 million companies.
