Our first speaker of the day, Mr. Florian Wenke – Director | India | Sri Lanka and Maldives from GTAI outlined the agreement’s current status, noting that legal scrubbing was underway and implementation remained pending. He discussed how tariff reductions could reshape India’s supply chains and strengthen its role in international trade.
As the final speaker of the evening, Mr. Khetan Anand – Partner | Director | CFO and Head of Tax Advisory from Rödl India examined the opportunities and challenges for Sri Lanka. While improved access for Indian products to the EU could intensify competition for Sri Lankan exporters, changes in regional supply chains may also create opportunities for more competitive sourcing. He stressed that businesses must carefully assess the relevant origin and value addition requirements before relying on trade preferences.
During the Q&A, members explored potential savings through supply chain arrangements involving India, opportunities for professional services and the implications for Sri Lanka’s logistics sector. The discussion encouraged companies to begin reviewing their products, sourcing arrangements and market exposure.
Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Florian Wenke – Director | India | Sri Lanka and Maldives from GTAI and Mr. Khetan Anand – Partner | Director | CFO and Head of Tax Advisory from Rödl India for their valuable contributions. We also sincerely thank our sector committee members for an engaging discussion on a development of significant relevance to Sri Lankan business.
AHK Sri Lanka is part of the global German Chamber Network, supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). With over 150 locations in 93 countries, the AHKs support German and local companies with their international business development by offering expertise, connections and tailored services. As essential partners of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) in Germany, AHKs operate in countries of strategic importance to German enterprises worldwide.