"Amongst the other invitees would be senior officials from ministries and other government departments directly and indirectly involved in the trade," the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said.

"An event of this nature would undoubtedly benefit the membership to interact with these senior officials, with a view to obtain first-hand information of the trade and its future."

Some analysts say importers are serving a valuable function at a time when there is a resurgence politically powerful protectionist lobbies stripping the trade liberties of the poorer sections of the population with higher taxes.