Sri Lanka investment promotion drive in Turkey poised for new opportunities
Tuesday, 3 September 2013 00:00
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Sri Lanka’s investment and trade prospects with Turkey received a rousing endorsement with the country’s recognition as a partner nation at the launch of the 82nd Izmir Trade Fair in Turkey.
The fair which has drawn 62 countries this year is considered one of the most influential in the world for promotion of trade and investment ties. Sri Lanka is the first Asian country to receive partner status at the prestigious fair.
Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion Faiszer Musthapha who is leading the investment delegation from Sri Lanka met with the Turkish Deputy Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Prof Davut Kavranoglu on the event.
Musthapha said the leaders of the two countries, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a remarkable similarity. He said that both had faced severe external pressures but had withstood such to improve social and economic standards of their citizens.
Prof. Kavranoglu commended the Sri Lankan Government for ending the island nation’s war expeditiously and definitively. The minister said Turkey has no doubt that Sri Lanka will now develop rapidly, achieving its full potential.
Minister Muthapha said with Turkish Airlines flying directly to Sri Lanka it would enhance the development of economic, social and cultural ties between the two countries. He invited the Turkish minister to visit Sri Lanka with an investment and business delegation and the latter accepted the offer.
Sri Lankan Ambassador in Turkey, Bharathi Wijeratne said that Turkish investors can benefit from Sri Lanka’s investments in infrastructure including the new port in Hambantota which would open a new maritime route to North Africa for Turkey.
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishard Bathiudeen addressed the ceremonial opening of the Izmir fair.
