BLSBC Officially Inaugurated in Brussels - BELGOLUX Sri Lanka Business Council

A Historic Launch Strengthening Sri Lanka–BENELUX Economic Cooperation

The BELGOLUX Sri Lanka Business Council (BLSBC) was formally inaugurated by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium, marking a major step forward in strengthening trade, investment, and long-term economic collaboration among Sri Lanka, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

The inauguration ceremony was held on 21 November 2025 at the nhow Hotel in Brussels, with Hon. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka, attending as the chief guest.

Purpose and Vision of the BLSBC

The newly established council aims to:

Promote strategic business partnerships
Support trade and market development
Encourage sustainable investment opportunities
Connect companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and institutions across borders

Its mission is to build strong and meaningful bridges between business communities in the BENELUX region and Sri Lanka.

Key Remarks from the Inaugural Ceremony

Sri Lanka’s Official Perspective

Deputy Minister Hon. Arun Hemachandra emphasized Sri Lanka’s current efforts to rebuild investor confidence and expand economic partnerships.
He stated:

“Sri Lanka is strengthening stability and opening our economy to deeper partnerships with Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union. The BLSBC is a timely step forward in that journey.”

Ambassador’s Insights

Ambassador Chandana Weerasena, Sri Lanka’s envoy to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU, highlighted the growing importance of bilateral and multilateral economic ties and positioned the BLSBC as a premier institutional mechanism for advancing commercial cooperation.

Support from Belgian Trade & Investment Agencies

Representatives from Belgium’s three key regional trade and investment bodies delivered remarks:

Pascal Walrave, Chief Operating Officer, FIT – Flanders Investment & Trade
Evgeniya Ulkina, Area Manager for South Asia & Oceania, AWEX – Wallonia Export & Investment Agency
Laurent Verbiest, Head of International Network for Asia & MENA, hub.brussels

Their collective participation demonstrated strong and unified support for enhanced trade, investment, innovation, and business collaboration between Belgium and Sri Lanka.

BLSBC Leadership and Strategic Direction

The first President of the Council, Thomas De Beule, presented the Council’s:

Mission
Core objectives
Action plan for the coming year

Additionally, Thavishya Mullegamgoda, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy, delivered an overview of the Council’s formation and the extensive groundwork undertaken by the Embassy and founding members.