Estonia, Good for Business, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Tourism

Dudley Francis Suthanthiranayagam Thambinayagam and Lauri Bambus. Sri Lanka, 24.02.2011. Photo: vm.ee

Estonia's new honorary consul to Sri Lanka is Dudley Francis Suthanthiranayagam Thambinayagam.

During the opening of the honorary consulate the 93rd anniversary of the Republic of Estonia was also celebrated.

At the opening of Estonia's new honorary consulate and the celebration of Estonia’s 93rd anniversary, Undersecretary Lauri Bambus emphasized the important role honorary consuls have played in Estonia's history.

"After Estonia declared its independence and in the period between the two world wars, Estonian honorary consuls helped to promote Estonia’s interests abroad," Lauri Bambus emphasized.

Bambus added that expanding the network of honorary consuls is also very important to Estonia today, since honorary consuls play an essential role in strengthening ties between nations in the areas of economy, culture, education and tourism.

"When necessary, honorary consuls also provide consular aid to Estonian citizens," Undersecretary Bambus added. Estonia has 139 honorary consuls in 62 nations.

Dudley F. S. Thambinayagam was born in Sri Lanka in 1948. Honorary Consul Thambinayagam is a respected businessman who has worked in international trade for nearly 40 years and is the founder of Jupiter Trading Co and Jupiter Trading Group, which brings together many different businesses. He is also the member of many societies and charity organisations.

Estonian Ambassador to Spain Toomas Kahur on Friday, February 25, opened an Estonian Honorary Consulate in Spain in the city of Telde in the administrative center of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Estonian Foreign Affairs Ministry reported. Estonia's new honorary consul is Sergio Pedro Tadeo Benitez.

At the opening of the honorary consulate, Estonian Ambassador Toomas Kahur said that the new honorary consul will help to create closer ties between the tourism firms of Estonia and Gran Canaria.

"The Canary Islands are a very popular beach destination for Estonian residents. Every year many Estonian visit here, so opening the Estonian Honorary Consulate on Gran Canaria was a necessary step. In addition to intensifying cultural and economic ties, the honorary consul can also provide consular aid to troubled travelers when needed," said Ambassador Kahur.

Sergio Pedro Tadeo Benitez was born in 1962. Tadeo is an active entrepreneur who is involved in accommodation and catering services and provides materials, catering and support services to hotels and catering establishments. As an entrepreneur, Benitez is a member of the Canary Chamber of Commerce and Industry and actively participates in many areas to organize and promote the economic life of the island.