Sri Lanka and Switzerland commit to expanding relations

Saturday, 6 April 2024 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The 4th round of bilateral consultations between Sri Lanka and Switzerland took place yesterday in Colombo, co-chaired by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Asia Pacific Ambassador Head Heinrich Schellenberg and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Additional Secretary/ Bilateral (West) Yasoja Gunasekera.

The delegations discussed potential to further enhance economic relations. Sri Lanka appreciated the Swiss assistance extended to the Export Development Board (EDB) in identifying further markets for Sri Lankan exports, and proposed collaboration in the textile industry. The two countries agreed to work towards and to explore diversifying trade relations and further potential in the tourism sector. Sri Lanka appreciated the long-standing Swiss support in the area of labour migration. Both sides acknowledged the positive impact of this collaboration in ensuring safe labour migration.

The meeting also considered collaboration on education, research and innovation, particularly exploring avenues for joint research and connectivity between universities. Opportunities to collaborate on environment, climate change and sustainability were also discussed.

It was agreed to hold the 5th Session of the political consultations in Bern, Switzerland in 2026. Bilateral political consultations between Sri Lanka and Switzerland were held pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding on foreign office consultations signed in 2016.