Vietnam, Sri Lanka to boost logistics, textiles cooperation
Future Vietnam-Sri Lanka cooperation should follow an efficient and focused approach aimed at delivering concrete results, and both sides should prioritise logistics connectivity and cargo trans-shipment cooperation, an area that matches Sri Lanka’s advantages and Vietnam’s demand to expand its economic reach into the Indian Ocean, Vietnamese President To Lam recently said.
He was addressing the Vietnam-Sri Lanka Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum in Colombo.
He also called for stronger cooperation in highly complementary sectors like agriculture, food processing, textiles and garments, intermediary trade and services, which could be implemented quickly and produce clear results, according to a Vietnamese media outlet.
The forum was jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
At the forum, Vietnam Airlines announced the launch of a direct air route between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo. Vietjet also announced a direct route linking Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo, marking the first direct air connection between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The Ho Chi Minh City-Colombo route is expected to launch in August 2026 with four round-trip flights per week.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stressed the forum demonstrated the two countries’ shared ambition to raise bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030, with a focus on diversifying products.
