This press release has been issued by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Colombo

30 april 2005

The Netherlands and Sri Lanka have long standing trading relations.
Total Dutch exports to Sri Lanka in 2004 valued € 25 million, in agricultural and industrial products. For agriculture an increase in export value of live animals, food products, beverages and tobacco to Sri Lanka occurred, with a slight decrease in export value of vegetables and fruits, compared to 2003. In the industrial sector the value of machinery and manufactured goods dropped as compared to 2003.

Total Dutch imports from Sri Lanka in 2004 valued € 54 million, mainly consisting of industrial products, garments and clothing and showing an increase in manufactured goods.

Agricultural imports from Sri Lanka slightly declined, mainly caused by a decrease in live animals and food items. Over the past five years, Netherlands has been averaging 3 % of the total market share as far as imports into Sri Lanka are concerned. Among the countries of the European Union, the Netherlands still constitutes the fourth largest trading partner of Sri Lanka, in terms of both imports and exports. As far as investment is concerned, Netherlands ranked fourth amongst EU investing countries in Sri Lanka, in the year 2002.

In the year 2003 The Netherlands has come within the top 15 countries ranked by total (Cumulative) Investment in Sri Lanka (based on Projects in commercial operation Under Sec.17 of the BOI Law).

During the year 2004 and up to 31st March, 2005 The BOI has approved three projects for investment from the Netherlands with local collaborations. The value of the investments from the Netherlands totals up to Rs. 687.88 mn. These projects have generated employment opportunities to nearly 910 personnel. One project categorised under services and the other two under wearing apparels.

Source: Royal Netherlands Embassy, based on trade figures of Central Bureau for Statistics in the Netherlands & BOI Sri Lanka