FRANCE SEEKS ENHANCED TIES WITH SRI LANKA ACROSS MULTIPLE SECTORS
France is actively pursuing deeper engagement with Sri Lanka, aiming to strengthen economic, maritime, and tourism ties.This was articulated by French Ambassador Rémi Lambert at the 21st Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-France Business Council (SLFBC) at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.The Ambassador highlighted that bilateral trade reached €540 million and French investment stood at USD 485 million in the past year.Ambassador Lambert's diplomatic vision for France-Sri Lanka cooperation rests on three pillars: economic collaboration, maritime and logistics, and tourism.Commercial exchanges between the two nations surpassed the half-billion Euro mark by the end of 2024, reaching €540 million.France is now Sri Lanka's ninth-largest investor, and the largest among European Union countries, with French investments spanning manufacturing, maritime logistics, and energy.Companies such as Michelin, CMA CGM, and Bureau Veritas are already operating in Sri Lanka, contributing to innovation, job creation, and economic development.Lambert underscored the importance of Sri Lanka maintaining duty-free access to the EU market through the GSP+ scheme, noting its dependence on compliance with sustainable social standards.A GSP+ monitoring mission visited Colombo in May, with its findings currently under review in Brussels.Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean, at the crossroads of India and ASEAN, positions it as a key partner in France's strategic vision for South Asia. Its proximity to France's overseas territory of Réunion Island further solidifies this partnership within France's Indo-Pacific strategy.Both France and Sri Lanka share a commitment to maritime security, sustainable connectivity, and environmental stewardship, viewing the Indian Ocean as a shared responsibility.The arrival of French naval frigates in Colombo in spring 2025 symbolised France’s dedication to freedom of navigation and regional stability.France also supports the Colombo Port Safety Project, an initiative following the Beirut port explosion, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the maritime region.France collaborates with international partners, including Australia, the United States, Poland, Bangladesh, and the European Union, for joint maritime training in Colombo, with the goal of establishing the city as a central hub in the Indian Ocean.Environmentally, France supports Sri Lanka's efforts against illicit trafficking and marine pollution and promotes sustainable fisheries.The Ambassador also highlighted Sri Lanka's ongoing ratification of the WTO's Fisheries 1 Agreement, which combats illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, as crucial for protecting fish stocks and the blue economy.Tourism is another vital aspect of the bilateral relationship. In 2024, France was the fifth-largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka, with 88,000 French visitors drawn by the country's biodiversity, heritage, cuisine, and hospitality. This number is projected to increase to 100,000 within this year or the next.With growing interest from French-speaking countries like Canada, Switzerland, and Belgium, the need for French-speaking experts and guides is increasing. Institutes like Alliance Française, with four branches in Sri Lanka, are seen as crucial in building cultural bridges.Lambert also discussed the potential for France to collaborate with Sri Lanka on geographical indication (GI) promotion for tea, suggesting that French expertise with wines like Champagne and Bordeaux could enhance Sri Lanka’s tea sector competitiveness.At the SLFBC meeting, Andre Fernando, Chairman of MAC Group, was re-elected as President of the Council.He is supported by Jonathan Suppiah of Inter Air Sea and Logistics as Senior Vice President, and Shaameel Mohideen of Spillburg Holdings as Vice President. Committee Members include representatives from Puritas Ltd., Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC, Mack Air Ltd., Noyon Lanka Ltd., and CEVA Logistics.Fernando emphasised tourism and investment as strategic areas for the Council's deeper engagement.He mentioned ongoing discussions to bring a renowned French sports personality to Sri Lanka for tourism promotion, with planned French media exposure.On the investment front, the Council is in talks to attract France-based investors currently operating in India to explore expansion opportunities in Sri Lanka.Ambassador Lambert concluded by reaffirming France's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's vision of becoming a strategic maritime and tourism hub in the Indian Ocean.
