COLOMBO, Aug 15 (ePRESS) – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Thursday welcomed United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung for a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening trade and investment links between the two countries.
Ambassador Chung met with Ceylon Chamber Chairman Krishan Balendra and senior officials to discuss economic opportunities, the investment climate, and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation. She congratulated Balendra on his appointment and reaffirmed the US Embassy’s commitment to work closely with the Chamber, which she described as the most influential voice of Sri Lanka’s private sector.
Chung commended the Sri Lankan Government for its constructive approach in negotiations with the United States, saying such engagement was key to building a fair and balanced trade relationship. She noted that US companies were increasingly turning their attention to South Asia, with Sri Lanka emerging as a strong option following shifts in global trade.
Balendra said the Chamber continues to work with the government to improve the ease of doing business and to address investor concerns. He invited the US to send a business delegation to the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit on December 2-3 in Colombo.
Tourism also featured in the discussions, with both sides recognising it as a high-growth sector. Balendra stressed the need for coordinated destination marketing, while Chung pointed to the importance of upgrading infrastructure to handle more visitors.
