Shaameel Mohideen has been elected President of the Sri Lanka–France Business Council (SLFBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at its 22nd Annual General Meeting held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo.

The AGM, held on 23 July, was attended by French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert as Chief Guest.

Accepting the appointment, Mohideen acknowledged the contribution of the Council’s past leadership and pledged to further strengthen economic ties between Sri Lanka and France.

“The Sri Lanka–France Business Council brings together some of Sri Lanka’s most respected business leaders whose knowledge, experience and commitment have strengthened the Council over the years. Together, we have supported and guided one another through some of the country’s most challenging economic periods,” he said.

Mohideen said the Council would focus on fostering innovative, sustainable and inclusive partnerships while expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.

He also thanked members for the confidence placed in him and said he looked forward to working with the Executive Committee to strengthen the Council’s contribution to the business communities of Sri Lanka and France.

Meanwhile, Zafir Hashim of John Keells Holdings was elected Senior Vice President, while Husni Salieh of Noyon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Manura Wickramasingha of Puritas (Pvt) Ltd were elected Vice Presidents. Immediate Past President Andre Fernando will continue to serve on the Council.

A. Baur & Co. (Pvt) Ltd, Aitken Spence Travels, CEVA Logistics Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC and Universal Travel Bureau (Pvt) Ltd were elected to the Executive Committee.

International Distillers Ltd, Jayantha Premachandra Foundation, Maliban Healthcare (Pvt) Ltd, Marlbo Trading Company, Propylon One (Pvt) Ltd and Web Lankan.com (Pvt) Ltd were elected to the Sub-Committee.

The SLFBC serves as a platform to promote bilateral trade, investment and business collaboration between Sri Lanka and France.