Economy Minister Hails Qatari-Sri Lankan Ties

Doha, September 14 (QNA) - HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani described Qatari -Sri Lankan ties as deep-rooted relations, thanks to the wise leaderships in the two countries and their keenness to expand the prospects of joint cooperation in economy, trade and investment and at all levels. Speaking at the opening of first session of the joint Qatari-Sri Lankan committee for economic, trade and technical cooperation in the presence of Sri Lankan Minister of Trade and Industry Rashad Badi Al-Din and his accompanying delegation in Doha today, HE the Minister of Economy said that the signing of the economic, trade and technical cooperation agreement and agreement on encouragement and reciprocal protection of investment in 2012 along with a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding with Sri Lanka reflected the distinguished relations between the two countries. "We should exert more efforts in order to activate the outcome of this meeting and put it into force," HE the minister said, while appreciating the efforts undertaken by the Sri Lankan companies operating in construction, services and furniture trade in Qatar. "We are looking forward to more Sri Lankan private sector's contribution in boosting trade exchange." HE the Minister of Economy added that the slight increase in the volume of bilateral trade estimated at QR 327 million in 2013 was still below the desired target, hoping for further expansion and for effective measures to overcome all obstacles to trade between the two countries. He underscored the necessity for more efforts to expand and open more investment opportunities through the promotion of relations between the two sides across the chambers of commerce and industry and exchange of visits between businessmen. He called for expanding and creating opportunities for cultural exchanges and organizing commercial exhibitions, hoping to obtain Sri Lanka's support for Qatari initiative submitted to the World Trade Organization to deem natural gas and its derivatives as environmentally-friendly products. Concluding his speech, he said that such meetings provide an opportunity to increase the volume of trade and investment exchange between the two countries, hoping that this meeting would help in achieving those objectives. The joint Qatari-Sri Lankan committee for economic, trade and technical cooperation discussed the economic relations between the two countries and means to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, higher education, fisheries, water resources, civil aviation, agriculture, tourism and culture. The two sides agreed to take the necessary steps to develop economic relations and increase the volume of trade exchange, including facilitating the flow of goods, services and investments between the two countries. They reiterated their desire to consolidate and increase cooperation in activating the signed agreements and memoranda of understanding. Senior officials at the ministries, governmental bodies and institutions in the two countries took part in the discussions with aim to attain the objectives of the joint cooperation between the two parties. The minutes of the joint Qatari-Sri Lankan committee for economic, trade and technical cooperation was signed by HE the Minister of Economy and commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani and Sri Lankan Minister of Trade and Industry Rashad Badi Al-Din. (END)