Kuwaiti Envoy holds talks with Ceylon Chamber on trade and investments

Kuwaiti Ambassador in Sri Lanka Khalaf Bu Dhhair says his country is willing to help Sri Lanka’s development plans with required investments.

The envoy conveyed this when he made a courtesy call to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, 13 October and held talks with Chairman Samantha Ranatunga.

“Kuwait is keen to engage in oil exploration and distribution activities in Sri Lanka,” the Ambassador revealed. He also said Kuwait is also willing to engage in the fields of construction and tourism sectors of the country.

The Ambassador observed that people to people movement and more B2B meetings between the Kuwaiti and Sri Lankan businesses will help enhance commercial ties between the two nations.

In response, Ranatunga said: “The Ceylon Chamber is ever willing to help Kuwait and its business firms to conduct business in Sri Lanka, in whatever way we can.”

He also cited the upcoming trade agreements as ideal platforms for investors to start up projects in Sri Lanka to capitalise on the trade agreements.

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Deputy General Secretary Alikie Perera, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Senior Assistant Secretary General Lilakshini De Mel and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chief Economist Anushka Wijesinha were present during the meeting.

The trade between Sri Lanka and Kuwait during the year 2015 has totalled to a sum of $ 68 million, with Sri Lanka’s export accounting for $ 39 of it, with coffee, tea and spices earning the highest share out of the totalled exports.