Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan agree to boost trade, investment and tourism

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the media after holding bilateral talks with the Kazkhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said that this year not only marks the 21st anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence, but it is also 20 years since diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan were established. Therefore it is significant for him to be in Kazakhstan on this official visit, which is the first by a Sri Lankan Head of State to that country.  

The President said that relations between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan have grown steadily, and bilateral trade in dollar terms has increased by over 60 per cent in the last few years and prospects for enhanced trade relations are high. He said that it is for this reason that he has brought a delegation of leading businessmen from Sri Lanka to participate in the Business Forum.

President pointed out that it is extremely important for the business communities of the two countries to personally interact, in order to forge strong business links. He said that he has discussed with President Nazarbayev about the prospects for enhanced trade and foreign direct investment, and joint tourism promotion.

He said that he is happy to note that direct charter flights have commenced between Almaty and Colombo through joint collaboration on ‘Luk Aero Air’. He said that undoubtedly this is a huge boost to increasing people to people contact and business interaction.

The President said a bilateral Agreement on Tourism Cooperation was signed and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kazakhstan. He said that both countries have also agreed on the importance of concluding a bilateral Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investment at the earliest, to further facilitate investment in the two countries.

Referring to his very fruitful discussions with President Nazarbayev, the President appreciated the Kazakhstan President’s pledge to fully support initiatives that will enhance cooperation between the two countries in a range of fields, which include tourism, agriculture, power and energy, education, culture and technology.

The President disclosed that Sri Lanka shortly commence negotiations that will lead to the conclusion of Agreements on Economic and Technical Cooperation, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Air Services, Cooperation in the field of Sports and Reciprocal Visa Exemption for holders of Diplomatic and Official passports.

The President also said that the leadership skills of President Nazarbayev have been amply demonstrated both nationally and internationally, and his vision in building Asian solidarity as the founder of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, popularly known as CICA is widely acknowledged.

The President announced that Sri Lanka has decided to seek Observer status in the CICA and to work closely with its framework in strengthening cooperation among the countries of Asia.

He said that Sri Lanka takes this opportunity to congratulate Kazakhstan on being elected to the UN Human Rights Council and looks forward to engaging on issues within its framework.

The President disclosed that he has also conveyed to President Nazarbayev that Sri Lanka will strongly support Kazakhstan’s bid to host Expo 2017 in Astana at the elections to be held in Paris later this week. Hosting this exhibition is very much in tandem with Kazakhstan’s positioning and potential to be an economic hub in the Eurasian region.

The President said that he is looking forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Ahmetov and the Chairman of the Senate and to tour many parts of Kazakhstan’s beautiful new capital city, which is a symbol of the country’s outstanding achievements and progress under the dynamic and visionary leadership of President Nazarbayev.

The President also said that he has invited President Nazarbayev to visit Sri Lanka at an early opportunity and he looks forward to welcoming the President in Colombo.