Middle Eastern and South Asian envoys call on Finance Minister

Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait and the High Commissioners of Pakistan and Bangladesh called on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry on Tuesday.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Tareq Md. Ariful Islam, Acting High Commissioner to Pakistan Tanvir Ahmad, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Abdul Naser H. Al Harthi, Ambassador of Kuwait Khalaf Bu Dhhair and Ambassador of Egypt Hussein EL Saharty paid a courtesy call on the new Finance Minister.

A lengthy discussion on how to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Sri Lanka and other countries were discussed.

Minister Rajapaksa appreciated the support extended to Sri Lanka by countries in the Middle East and South Asia, whilst assuring to continue to work to enhance regional cooperation and mutual understanding.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Tareq Md. Ariful Islam said he was pleased that Sri Lanka was able to achieve an economic growth rate of 4% in the face of COVID pandemic and would look into the possibility transshipment businesses at Colombo Port. He also highlighted the need for greater economic cooperation. 

High Commissioner Islam said his Government hoped to achieve rapid economic growth by providing investment opportunities for investors in both countries.

Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Tanvir Ahmad said his Government would provide the necessary technical and related facilities to popularise animal husbandry in Sri Lanka at the rural level and look forward to further developing the long-standing cultural and social ties between the two countries.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador Abdul Naser H. Al Harthi fondly reminded that all Middle Eastern countries had great respect for Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. He assured to assist Sri Lanka to obtain the vaccines under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) vaccination program. 

Saudi Arabian Ambassador Harthi also said that priority would be given to attracting investors to invest in Sri Lanka’s development bonds and money markets.

The Kuwait Ambassador Khalaf Bu Dhhair noted that the two countries had had a very close relationship throughout history. In addition to providing assistance for the construction of road projects and bridges in Sri Lanka, he assured to provide assistance for new projects in the future. 

He also promised to educate his investors on the new economic developments in Sri Lanka, whilst assuring to take steps to attract investors to these new opportunities through the Kuwait Business Investment Office in London. 

Kuwaiti Ambassador Dhhair also said that his Government hoped to invest in development bonds and provide Sri Lanka with the support it needed to emerge as a trading hub in South Asia.

Egyptian Ambassador Hussein EL Saharty said that the Government would support the promotion of Sri Lankan tea in their country and highlighting opportunities to be exported by the two countries in partnership to boost tourism. 

The Ambassador also said that Egyptian investors would be encouraged to invest in Sri Lanka.

Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle was also present for the discussions.