French Ambassador explores trade and investment opportunities in Southern Province

Wednesday, 30 April 2014 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Jean-Paul Monchau was on an official visit in the Southern Province from 23-24 April. During his two-day visit, the Ambassador of France witnessed the development of Hambantota as a logistical hub while visiting newly-developed infrastructure such as the Mattala Rajapaksa

International Airport and the Port of Hambantota. These new infrastructure facilities, as well as the new road networks and the International Convention Centre, offer the necessary setting to attract investments, especially in the Port and in the Airport area. Ambassador Mon-chau also met with the director of the Hambantota Chamber of Commerce Krishanti Weerasinghe in order to explore trade and investment opportunities between France and Sri Lanka. During a meeting with the Governor of the Southern Province Kumari Balasuriya at her official residence in Galle, the two officials discussed the new economic trends in the province and the tourist development of the city of Galle, a treasure for lovers of history and well-preserved age old

buildings. The Ambassador also had the opportunity to meet the Government Agent of Galle. Ambassador Mon-chau paid a visit to the Alliance Française de Matara and the Alliance Française de Galle and interacted with the teachers and students as well as members of the board. In Matara, he also had the opportunity to visit the University of Ruhuna and met Vice Chancellor Prof. G. Senanayake. While discussing cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries, the Ambassador stressed the importance of developing French language training for tourism and business in Sri Lanka.