Palestine ‘can almost feel SL’s great potential’ – Palestinian Minister

A Sri Lanka-Palestine Joint Investment Forum can help spur bilateral trade between both countries according to Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen. Also, Palestine could ‘almost feel’ Sri Lanka’s great potential at the Expo 2012 show.

Minister Bathiudeen made the comments while addressing Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Palestine Dr. Khuloud Daibes when the visiting minister made a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Dr. Daibes was leading the Palestinian delegation to Expo 2012.

According to the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Palestine trade with Sri Lanka is shows a fluctuating trend with the trade balance in favour to Sri Lanka. In 2010, exports stood at $ 0.02 million with no imports to Sri Lanka at all.

Sri Lanka’s major exports to Palestine are special yarn twine and vegetable textile fibre. The $4.02 billion economy has been keen to boost trade with Sri Lanka, (especially looking for Pure Ceylon Tea and coconut oil) and inviting Sri Lankan trade delegations, among others. On its part, Sri Lanka has been keen to draw Palestinian investors, especially to the tourism sector.

“While offering greetings from our President and the Prime Minister, I should stress that Palestine can almost feel the great potential Sri Lanka has.  We are glad that we have been able to arrive for Expo 2012 and become part of Sri Lanka’s resurgence,” Dr. Daibes and added, “We believe there is strong partnering potential between SL and Palestine for tourism cooperation, specially with regard to Sri Lankan’s interest in Holy Land and other Holy Places in Palestine. We are prepared to offer joint ventures between Palestinian hotels in Bethlehem and Sri Lankan investors to help Sri Lankan pilgrims coming to Bethlehem.”

Also present during the session were Deputy Director of Commerce Asoka Godawita

and Ambassador of State of Palestine to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dr. Anwar H. Al Agha.