Message from Jatinder Biala President of SLIBC
On the morning of 17th August 2013, a nation consists of over 238 Million of people will wake up to celebrate its 68th anniversary independence of Indonesia. It is with great pleasure and privilege that I send the best wishes and congratulatory message to his Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia and the people of the Republic of Indonesia on this very important day.
Indonesia, as a founder member of ASIAN, and also a member of G-20 Major Economy has shown the whole world its status and existence in the Global Picture.
With its more than 17,500 Islands, it is teeming with natural resources and unbelievably beautiful landscape with people well known for their hospitality. Indonesia blessed with hundreds of native ethnic and linguistic groups but a shared identity has developed with a national language, ethnic diversity and religious pluralism with Muslim population as the majority. Therefore as an Island nation there are so many similarities between Indonesia and Sri Lanka and so many lessons we can learn from this brotherly nation.
In this backdrop and also Understanding the real potential of bilateral relationship, the Sri Lanka – Indonesia Business Council (SLIBC) was inaugurated on August 30, 1991, under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. As a nation which is moving forward with all the challenges to conquer greater economic heights as well as social developments, Indonesia can definitely be one of the role models for Sri Lanka.
Quoting the numbers that Exports to Indonesia has grown by 61% during the past 5 years. Imports from Indonesia to Sri Lanka has increased by 72% during the past 5 years. These numbers will show the real picture of our relationship. This is not the end but just the beginning and as a nation which strives for great development, we certainly got to gain with ever growing relationship between these two nations.
As an active business council, we make our efforts on consistent basis to foster, enhance and also to cultivate and facilitate valuable bilateral business relationships with the kind guidance of the officers and staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Colombo. With the current active membership of more than 50 corporate institutions, we welcome new corporate members to join the Sri Lanka – Indonesia Business Council and to share our success stories and grow together. For further information, please contact the SLIBC Secretariat.