- Last Updated on 13 October 2024
Bilateral Cooperation
Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations with Luxembourg on 27th July 1972. Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Brussels in concurrently accredited to Luxembourg. The Embassy of Luxembourg in New Delhi is concurrently accredited to cover diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana paid an official visit to Luxembourg on 27th September 2017. This was the first visit of a Sri Lankan Foreign Minister to Luxembourg since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1972. Our interaction has mostly being within the United Nations and the European Union.
State Minister of Foreign Relations, Vasantha Senanayake paid an official visit to Luxembourg on 15th December 2017. State Minister called Hon. Romain Schneider, M.P., Minister of Social Security, Development Cooperation, Humanitarian Affairs and Sports of Luxembourg and Hon. Mars Di Bartolomeo, President of the Chamber of Deputies (Speaker of the Luxembourg Parliament).
Following the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Relations of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Minister of Immigration and Asylum, H.E. Mr. Jean Asselborn, went to Sri Lanka for an official visit on 30 January 2020. This is the first high level official visit from Luxembourg to Sri Lanka since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Minister Asselborn called on President H.E. Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister H.E Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa during his stay in Sri Lanka.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg on Bilateral Consultations was signed on 13.05.2023 in Stockholm, Sweden on the sidelines of the EU Indo – Pacific Ministerial Forum.
Ambassador H.E. Chandana Weerasena presented his Letters of Credence to His Royal Highness Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, as the new Ambassador of Sri Lanka accredited to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with residence in Belgium on 13 June 2024 in Luxembourg. He succeeded H.E. Mrs. Grace Asirwatham.
Bilateral Trade Relations between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg
In 2023, total value of products exported from Sri Lanka to Luxembourg was US$ 0.04 million. Sri Lanka is a beneficiary country under the EU GSP+ scheme and being a member of the European Union, Luxembourg provides preferential access for Sri Lanka’s exports under EU GSP+ scheme. Sri Lanka imported US$ 3.09 million worth products from Luxembourg in 2023.
Luxembourg was the 189th export market for Sri Lanka and 83rd Import partner of Sri Lanka in 2022.
Bilateral Trade in Products between Sri Lanka & Luxembourg
(Values in US$ millions)
|
Year |
Exports from Sri Lanka to Luxembourg |
Imports from Luxembourg to Sri Lanka |
Trade Balance |
Total Trade |
|
2018 |
0.15 |
1.08 |
-0.92 |
1.23 |
|
2019 |
0.36 |
1.77 |
-1.41 |
2.13 |
|
2020 |
2.25 |
0.62 |
1.63 |
2.87 |
|
2021 |
2.23 |
1.63 |
0.60 |
3.87 |
|
2022 |
0.03 |
0.39 |
-0.36 |
0.42 |
|
2023 |
0.04 |
3.09 |
-3.05 |
3.13 |
Source: Sri Lanka Customs
Sri Lanka’s main export products to Luxembourg are mainly concentrated around a few products. Apparel has become the main export item accounting for 74% of the value of Sri Lanka’s exports to Luxembourg in 2022. Other exports included live fish, traveling goods, tea and fishing hooks.
Articles of iron or steel, machinery, mechanical appliances, electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, chemical products, etc. were the main products imported by Sri Lanka from Luxembourg in 2022.
Potential Products & Services from Sri Lanka which have export potential in the Luxembourg Market
Apparel; Ceylon Tea (Specialty Teas & Value-Added Teas); Rubber tires, glovesCeylon Cinnamon (which has GI Status in the EU market), other Spices & their Essential Oils;IT & Communication Services; Live fish;Organic & Fair-Trade Products; Financial Services.
