President in Qatar to strengthen ties

A bilateral meeting was held between President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a two-day state visit to Qatar, and Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani yesterday.

During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening economic, trade and tourism ties between the two countries. The President also apprised Qatari investors and entrepreneurs of the new business and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. 

Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said that he was confident that the visit by President Sirisena would contribute to further strengthening the close relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka as well as build new relations that will benefit both countries.

The Qatari Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to the President for remaining by Qatar’s side when the country was facing a difficult situation after being diplomatically frozen out by other Gulf countries.   

President Sirisena noted Sri Lanka would maintain a non-aligned foreign policy and as such could work with all countries in a friendly and cooperative manner. 

Many Sri Lankans are currently working in various fields in Qatar and the special attention of the Qatar Foreign Minister was paid to the request made by the President to increase the opportunities given to Sri Lankan professionals in Qatar.

Meanwhile, the President also participated in the Qatari-Sri Lankan Business Meeting held in Doha.

This business meeting was organised by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar with over 150 entrepreneurs representing both countries participating in the forum.

Representatives from the Board of Investment (BoI) of Sri Lanka, Tourism Board and the Export Development Board spoke in detail about the prevailing new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.  Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake also addressed this forum.  A delegation which included the Qatar Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani participated in this meeting.

President Sirisena arrived at Hamad International Airport in Doha for the state visit on the invitation of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani .

The President was received at the airport by a special delegation which included the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani. The staff of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Doha, including the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar, was also at the airport to welcome the President.

The officials of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar held a special welcome ceremony at the hotel where the President will stay. During his two-day state visit the President is due to hold bilateral discussions with the Emir of Qatar and the Prime Minister of Qatar as well as several ministers.

Around 140,000 Sri Lankans are currently working in various fields in Qatar. The President is also scheduled to hold discussions with the Sri Lankan community in Qatar.