SL-Myanmar strengthen collaboration in gem and tourism industries following a business development visit by the Chief Executive Officer and Gemologist of the Nojili Group of Companies, aimed at expanding cooperation in gemstones, jewellery, tourism, and investment between the two countries.
SL-Myanmar strengthen collaboration in gem and tourism industries through business visit
The week-long visit, held from 11 to 17 June 2026, was facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen economic partnerships and people-to-people connections between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
L.A.D. Palitha, Chief Executive Officer and Gemologist of the Nojili Group of Companies, travelled to Myanmar to study the country’s internationally recognised gemstone industry while identifying new opportunities for bilateral collaboration. The company operates across Sri Lanka and Japan, with business interests spanning the international gemstone and jewellery trade as well as eco-tourism development.
During the visit, Palitha conducted an extensive assessment of Myanmar’s gem sector by visiting several leading institutions and commercial centres in Yangon. His itinerary included Scott Market (Bogyoke Aung San Market), gemstone trading centres, gem and jewellery museums, and specialised gem laboratories, providing valuable insight into Myanmar’s rich gemstone heritage and established industry practices.
As part of the programme, he also held a series of business-to-business meetings with key industry stakeholders, including Gemro Jewellery Managing Director Khine Zin Win. The discussions focused on exploring commercial partnerships, knowledge sharing, and future opportunities that could benefit gemstone traders and jewellery manufacturers in both countries.
The SL-Myanmar strengthen collaboration in gem and tourism industries initiative extended beyond the gemstone sector to include tourism development. A major highlight of the visit was Palitha’s participation in the UMTA Travel Fair 2026, one of Myanmar’s leading international tourism exhibitions, held from 12 to 15 June at the Chatrium Hotel and Sedona Hotel in Yangon.
The exhibition was organised jointly by the Yangon Regional Government and the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA), bringing together tourism professionals, investors, travel operators, and business representatives from Myanmar and overseas.
During the event, Palitha met with UMTA Chairman and President Kyaw Bhone Naing, alongside senior representatives from the tourism industry. Discussions centred on expanding Sri Lanka Myanmar tourism cooperation, with particular emphasis on eco-tourism, cultural tourism, heritage tourism, and outbound travel opportunities.
The visit also enabled the development of stronger working relationships with the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA) and Myanmar Tourism Marketing (MTM). Conversations focused on tourism promotion, visitor exchanges, joint destination marketing initiatives, and establishing long-term partnerships that could benefit both countries’ tourism industries.
Officials believe closer collaboration in tourism could encourage increased visitor flows while creating new business opportunities for travel operators, investors, and hospitality providers in both Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
The visit was carried out under the guidance of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Prabashini Ponnamperuma, while coordination was undertaken by Minister of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar, Lal Kularathna.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon welcomed the successful outcome of the programme, noting that initiatives such as these help strengthen bilateral economic cooperation while fostering closer people-to-people ties. The Embassy also highlighted the importance of expanding collaboration in sectors where both countries possess significant expertise, including gemstones, jewellery, tourism, and investment.
The SL-Myanmar strengthen collaboration in gem and tourism industries initiative reflects growing efforts to deepen commercial engagement between the two nations. With the Nojili Group of Companies exploring new business partnerships and enhanced Sri Lanka Myanmar tourism cooperation under discussion, the visit is expected to contribute to stronger trade, investment, and tourism links in the years ahead.