A presentation highlighting Sri Lanka’s trade, economic, and investment potential was held at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event, organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow, featured the official announcement of the international multi-industry exhibition Sri Lanka Expo 2026, scheduled to take place from 18 to 21 June 2026 in Colombo.

In his opening remarks, Mr Ilya Nesterov, Director of the Department of External Relations of the Russian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and moderator of the event, noted that Sri Lanka is a country well known in Russia, though often primarily associated with Ceylon tea and tourism. He emphasized that the presentation of Sri Lanka Expo 2026 offers an important platform to present Russian businesses with a broader and more dynamic perspective of modern Sri Lanka—highlighting its diversified economy, strong agro-industrial base, and growing modern services sector.

>Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera, underscored Sri Lanka’s strategic position as a key logistics hub in the Indian Ocean. She highlighted the country’s active engagement in expanding foreign economic relations and drew attention to its free trade agreements with major regional partners, including India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Thailand. These agreements, she noted, position Sri Lanka as a gateway for Russian businesses seeking access to South and Southeast Asian markets.

Mr Sanjeewa Bandara, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy, provided an overview of Sri Lanka’s economic landscape, the current status and future prospects of Russian–Sri Lankan trade and economic cooperation, and detailed information on participation modalities for Sri Lanka Expo 2026. He explained that the exhibition aims to showcase the country’s diverse industrial base, export-ready products, services, and investment opportunities. Key sectors to be featured include light industry, the agro-industrial sector, comprising tea, spices, fisheries, processed food and beverages, and coconut-based products, as well as shipbuilding, automotive, electronics, rubber products, and pharmaceuticals.

Following the presentation, participants representing member companies and organizations of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry engaged in discussions with Embassy officials, exploring opportunities to establish and expand export - import partnerships with potential Sri Lankan counterparts.