On July 2, Ambassador P.M. Amza visited the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
From the Russian side, the meeting was attended by MCCI President, Mr. Vladimir Platonov, Director of the MCCI Department of Foreign Economic Relations and International Cooperation, Mr. Vladislav Mishchenko, Chairman of the MCCI Commission on Foreign Economic Cooperation with Partners in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Sattar Mia.

Welcoming the Ambassador, the MCCI President mentioned: "Our work is aimed at establishing business relations between entrepreneurs in Moscow and throughout Russia and your beautiful country." The head of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the guests about the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, outlining the main areas of activity, including issuing certificates of origin of goods, certifying force majeure circumstances, issuing ATA carnets, which allow the temporary export of various objects of art, decorations, etc.
Ambassador, P.M. Amza noted that, in his opinion, trade turnover between Russia and Sri Lanka has good potential for expansion, stating that in 2023 it amounted to only $537 million. It is also necessary to expand the range of imports and exports. "Currently, mainly tea is exported from Sri Lanka, and petroleum products and energy resources are exported from Russia." According to the head of the Mission, it is necessary to outline priority directions and steps that should be taken in the near future to enhance the economic ties. Among them, Mr. P. M. Amza named the signing of agreements between the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the chambers of commerce of the main regions of Sri Lanka and the study of commercial proposals.
Mr. Vladislav Mishchenko proposed holding an online conference in the near future with the participation of Moscow entrepreneurs, during which they will be able to offer their products and technologies to colleagues from Sri Lanka. "Moscow has the best video monitoring system in the world, and in general Moscow has entered the TOP 3 digital metropolises in the world. We have something to offer," he said. Among the areas of possible cooperation, the speaker named the supply of agricultural products, grain, fertilizers, as well as medical products and drugs, pharmaceutical products.
Mr. Vladimir Platonov named joint educational programs as another important area of cooperation. "We have launched the educational project "School of Entrepreneurship for Foreign Students "Start Your Own Business with Moscow," which we are implementing with the support of the Committee for Public Relations and Youth Policy as part of the implementation of the Moscow Mayor's Grant. We believe that youth are our future, and the sooner young people begin to realize themselves in business, the better for them and for the economy."
At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged souvenirs and agreed to send each other commercial proposals from companies. MCCI intends to prepare draft agreements with the regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka in the near future.