Message from the French Ambassador to Sri Lanka
Dear Members of the Sri Lanka–France Business Council, dear internet users, It is a pleasure to address you as I begin my mission in Sri Lanka, a country with which France, whose president visited your country for the first time ever in 2023, shares solid political and deep historical, cultural, and economic ties. Our longstanding friendship is reflected in vibrant cultural exchanges and numerous academic partnerships. France, as an Indo-Pacific nation and a country of the Indian Ocean in particular, is also committed to regional stability and maritime cooperation. All issues related to the Ocean are important components of our relation with Sri Lanka, especially this year which will see France hosting the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice. We are also proud to support initiatives such as the Regional Maritime Studies Centre in Colombo. As far as the economy is concerned, our relationship is flourishing. Bilateral trade reached €540 million in 2024, and several French companies—ranging from Michelin to Biogrow and CMA-CGM to name only a few —are actively contributing to Sri Lanka’s development. Through the Agence Française de Développement and other funding sources, France also plays a major role in financial cooperation and debt restructuring. As Sri Lanka embarks on a path of economic recovery and reform, French businesses stand ready to support inclusive and sustainable growth. The SLFBC plays a vital role in fostering these partnerships by bridging public and private sectors. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the SLFBC and its chairman, Mr. Andre Fernando, for their dedication. Together, let’s seize the opportunities ahead and write a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation. Vive l’amitié franco-sri lankaise! Long live French Sri Lankan friendship.
