UK’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia begins inaugural visit to Colombo

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for South Asia, Harjinder Kang, is visiting Colombo from 21 to 23 January 2025. 

He will call on key officials from the Sri Lankan Government and engage with a range of businesses in a bid to strengthen commercial ties between the UK and Sri Lanka.

On this maiden visit to Sri Lanka, Harjinder Kang will meet with key officials from the Sri Lankan Government including the Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti; Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma; Western Province Governor Haniff Yousouf; and Presidential Economic Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa.

Trade Commissioner Kang’s discussions will focus on strengthening the UK- Sri Lanka trade relationship, identifying new ways to facilitate the ease of doing business for UK companies, and exploring programmes to support the shared economic growth of both countries.

Trade Commissioner Kang will meet a cross-section of stakeholders from the bilateral business community. This includes UK headquartered and UK-linked businesses, transnational education providers, senior business leaders, and representatives of the Council for Business with Britain. Key sectors that will underpin these business interactions include: financial and professional services; IT and software development; education; manufacturing; logistics; and renewable energy.

Harjinder Kang shared the following thoughts ahead of his visit: “I am excited to be visiting Colombo in my capacity as Trade Commissioner for the first time, not least as I will get to see first-hand the innovative and hi-tech operations of a number of leading UK companies in the market. The UK Government is committed to supporting UK companies, both first-time exporters to the region and also companies looking to grow their existing business with Sri Lanka. I am particularly impressed by the strength of our educational partnerships with Sri Lanka which is the second largest market for UK transnational education. I’m looking forward to engaging with education providers to explore how we can continue to contribute to the growth of Sri Lanka’s skilled workforce. The UK champions free, open and easy-to-access markets and it is one of the best places in the world to do business. In engaging with government and business stakeholders in Colombo, I am keen to find solutions on how we can strengthen our partnership which leads to enhanced economic growth for both countries.

”Sri Lanka is a valuable trading partner for the UK. Total trade between the UK and Sri Lanka is around £ 1.5 billion each year. UK exports to Sri Lanka amount to approximately £ 359 million. UK imports from Sri Lanka amount to £ 1.1 billion, making the UK Sri Lanka’s second largest export market. The UK looks forward to improvements in market access barriers and ease of doing business in Sri Lanka which will further boost the UK–Sri Lanka trade and investment relationship.

The UK Government and its Department for Business and Trade supports UK businesses to succeed overseas and works to remove barriers to success. HMTCs lead the UK’s overseas effort to promote UK trade, investment, trade policy and export finance.

Harjinder Kang was appointed as HMTC to South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India in May 2023. He is working on generating business opportunities for the UK while contributing to the growth of sustainable, resilient, and productive UK partnerships across the South Asia region.

Prior to his promotion to HMTC, he was the UK’s Chief Negotiator for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. Before joining the Department for Business and Trade, Harjinder Kang spent nearly 30 years at AstraZeneca, later becoming the Global Commercial Director, focusing on creating affordable solutions for pharmaceutical access in less developed regions. He is also a member of the Council of the University of Birmingham.