Qatar-Sri Lanka talks open in Colombo today

• Commerce Minister Al Thani leads 20-member delegation to Colombo
• In-depth talks to span two days

Within four days of a presidential level delegation from Sri Lanka successfully wrapping up its bilateral work in the Qatari capital of Doha, the country is dispatching an official delegation led by the Qatari Commerce Minister to Colombo to move forward bilateral trade.

Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani will be leading his 20-member delegation to Colombo for the second Joint Committee Meeting between both countries that will commence today, the Industry and Commerce Minister said in a statement yesterday. 

 

This is one of the largest ever Qatari delegations to arrive in Sri Lanka for bilateral trade talks.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will lead the Sri Lankan team at the talks. The visiting Qatari members are from various Qatari state agencies, chambers and Doha corporates in power, food and banking, the statement said.

Both sides will discuss bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and economic development at the two-day sessions that will conclude tomorrow. A one-to-one meeting between the visiting Qatari Minister Al Thani and Sri Lankan Minister Bathiudeen is also scheduled towards the end of the sessions.

A high-level Sri Lankan delegation led by President Maithripala Sirisena and joined by Minister Bathiudeen concluded their Qatari visit on 26 October.

Qatar is also a top destination for Sri Lanka’s migrant labour with large numbers employed mostly in labour-intensive work.