Sri Lanka committed to set up BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Centre: President

President Maithripala Sirisena reiterated the commitment of the Government to establish a BIMSTEC Centre for Technology Transfer Facility to contribute to the collective drive for economic advancement.

“To take Sri Lanka to the next stage of development, the vision of my Government is to create a knowledge based competitive social market economy which is integrated with the world,” he said, addressing the BIMSTC Summit held in Goa, India on Sunday.

Following is the full speech delivered by President Sirisena at the BIMSTEC Summit:

President Maithripala Sirisena with BRICS Heads of State at the BIMSTEC Summit

At the outset, let me sincerely thank the Prime Minister of India for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to me and the members of my delegation.

Attending this event for the first time as the Head of State of Sri Lanka in beautiful Goa is indeed memorable. 

Our presence today is a clear demonstration of the unity of purpose and solidarity in working towards the effective realisation of BIMSTEC objectives. 

Since its inception in 1997, BIMSTEC meetings have resulted in adoption of several declarations focusing on achieving prosperity in the region.

The full potential of regional cooperation however remains yet to be realised. We need to change course now to fulfil the expectations of our people to deliver a strong growth dividend through economic and technical cooperation.

Diversification and modernisation of economies, infrastructure development, knowledge exchange, increased access to technology, enhanced capacity building, expansion of trade and investment can no longer be held back. 

We need to regain, through meaningful and outcome oriented collaboration, the legitimacy that underpins any serious regional framework.

My Government’s approach to regional cooperation and inter-regional collaboration is be based upon friendship with all and enmity towards none. In the inter-dependent world that we see today no country or people can seek to prosper in isolation. In the same vein, none can be cast away as unimportant or irrelevant given that challenges are of a cross-cutting nature. 

We need to consolidate peace, ensure security and prosperity for all our citizens. 

In this context we strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The value of mutual engagement remains significant. It is timely that collective actions be taken in a cooperative spirit, to bring optimum benefits to our people. We firmly believe in achieving shared prosperity. 

We seek to avail of trade and economic opportunities in a mutually beneficial manner. 

While strengthening BIMSTEC our vision of providing the nexus between SAARC and ASEAN needs to be further explored.

It is timely to reorient the organisation to meet one of its original expectations that is to enhance inter-regional trade, investment and tourism. I am happy to reiterate the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to establish a BIMSTEC Center for Technology Transfer Facility to contribute to our collective drive to economic advancement. 

To take Sri Lanka to the next stage of development, the vision of my Government is to create a knowledge based competitive social market economy which is integrated with the world.

In conclusion, I seek your support for the success of the irreversible journey that my country has undertaken towards advancement of peace and prosperity since the establishment of the National Unity Government last year.