Sri Lanka-Vietnam set stage for stronger ties ahead of President’s official visit next week

President Anura Kumara Disanayake

• Cabinet approves four key policy decisions, paving way to ink strategic bilateral agreements to deepen cooperation across trade, industry, agriculture and diplomacy

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday announced President Anura Kumara Disanayake is set to undertake an official visit to Vietnam from 3-6 May, marking a fresh chapter in Sri Lanka’s regional engagement and trade diplomacy. 

Ahead of this historic visit, he said the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved four key policy decisions, paving the way for the signing of strategic bilateral agreements that aim to deepen cooperation across trade, industry, agriculture and diplomacy. 

“From 3-6 May, President will be on an official visit to Vietnam and four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are scheduled for signing to foster long-term institutional partnerships and open up mutually beneficial opportunities for both countries,” he announced at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday, highlighted the importance of the visit and the robust nature of the proposed agreements. 

The first MoU will be signed between Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE). This agreement is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade ties by facilitating the exchange of market information, encouraging joint participation in trade fairs and promotional events and organising meetings between business delegations.

“The collaboration is expected to generate export opportunities in key sectors such as processed foods, fisheries, apparel and value-added agriculture—areas where Sri Lanka sees strong growth potential and comparative advantage.

The second MoU is a renewal of a 2011 agreement between Industry Entrepreneurship Development Ministry of Sri Lanka and the Industry and Trade Ministry of Vietnam. “This revitalised agreement focuses on promoting industrial cooperation in mechanical and electrical equipment sectors. The deal is expected to boost capacity building and knowledge sharing in machinery production and electrical manufacturing, offering Sri Lanka’s emerging industrial ecosystem access to Vietnamese expertise and training opportunities,” he elaborated.

Dr. Jayatissa said the third MoU will be between Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka and Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences. The two countries have a longstanding relationship in agricultural cooperation, with a foundational agreement signed as far back as 2006. This has been sustained through successive action plans, covering timelines 2010-2011, 2017-2019, 2022-2024 and now 2024-2026. “One of the core objectives of the latest agreement is to strengthen institutional ties between agricultural research bodies in both countries enabling joint research, development projects and capacity enhancement initiatives,” he said.

The fourth and final agreement is poised to enhance diplomatic collaboration, will be signed between the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) of Sri Lanka and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. Under this MoU, the two institutions will exchange diplomats, scholars, researchers and other experts and will collaborate on a wide range of academic and professional training activities. The agreement is initially set to remain in effect for three years, signalling a sustained commitment to enhancing diplomatic education and cooperation.

 “These include joint study programs, seminars and research initiatives and specialised courses in diplomacy,” Dr. Jayatissa noted.