Sri Lanka – Luxembourg Relations
- Last Updated on 18 May 2020
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.
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. Minister Asselborn called on President H.E. Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister H.E Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa during his stay in Sri Lanka.
H.E. Ms. Grace Asirwatham, the Ambassador accredited to Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with residence in Belgium presented her letter of Credence to HRH Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg on 13th November 2019. She succeeded H.E Mr. Rodney Perera.
Trade Relations between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg
Trade between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg has substantially increased over the recent years except 2015. Sri Lanka has higher imports from Luxembourg than its exports.
Import and Exports between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg
The graphs below illustrate the Total Import and Export and Balance of Trade between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg
Major Exports to Luxembourg
Mattress supports, articles of bedding and similar furnishing have been the major export items to Luxembourg taking up 37% of total export followed by aluminium articles and Apparel constituting 26% and 16% respectively. Other major exports include Brooms made of coconut fibre and live fish. The trends in export products to Luxembourg’s market for the period 2012 to 2016 are shown in the following table.
Sri Lanka’s Exports to Luxembourg
Value: US $ Mn.
Source: Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka
Investments from Luxembourg
Sri Lanka receives extensive investments from Luxembourg but it has decreased in the recent past.
Luxembourg |
Total Foreign Direct Investment (US$ Mil.) |
2005 |
17.3 |
2006 |
54.0 |
2007 |
6.0 |
2008 |
82.3 |
2009 |
23.9 |
2010 |
5.2 |
2011 |
25.6 |
2012 |
37.2 |
2013 |
21.4 |
2014 |
13.5 |
2015 |
1.0 |
•Luxembourg has continued to provide assistance to Sri Lanka, mainly for humanitarian purposes. Luxembourg donated Euro 421,825.00 in 2010 and Euro 41,991 in 2011 for humanitarian projects in Sri Lanka.
• As Luxembourg is a banking centre in Europe, the Embassy has coordinated with the Luxembourg authorities to enhance cooperation in the field of banking and financial intelligence.
Agreements
- An Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement was signed between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg In April 1982.
- In October 2003 Luxembourg also signed an Agreement on Maritime Transport.
- An Agreement on the Recognition of Certificates of Competency and Training of Seafarers for Services on Board Vessels between the Directorate of Merchant Shipping of Sri Lanka and the Commissariat Aux Affaires Maritime of Luxembourg was signed in June 2006.
- An Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTA) between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg was signed on 31st January 2013 in Luxembourg.
Sri Lankan Community in Luxembourg
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It is estimated that there are around 80 Sri Lankans living in Luxembourg. The Sri Lankan community members in Luxembourg also take part in the cultural activities organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Belgium and the Honorary Consul in Luxembourg.
All Sri Lankans interested in participating in national events and receiving updated information may send their contact details.