Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral ties with Qatar during Premier’s visit

Monday, 12 December 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka is preparing to receive the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani on Monday when he arrives in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Qatari Prime Minister visiting Sri Lanka on an invitation from the Sri Lankan government will lead a high level delegation that will consist of Minister of Economy and Finance and senior officials together with that country’s business leaders.

His Sri Lankan counterpart Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and External Affairs Minister, Prof. G.L. Peiris will receive the Qatari Premier and his delegation at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Sheikh Hamad will meet Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa during his two-day visit.

The Prime Minister, during bilateral discussions held with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of Bali democracy Forum IV in Bali, has said that Qatar investors are keen to participate in Sri Lanka’s development activities and willing to undertake massive investments in tourism based industries in the country.

The Qatari business delegation will interact with leading businessmen and entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka to explore opportunities for further promotion of economic cooperation in a range of fields for mutual benefit, the External Affairs Ministry said.

During the Prime Minister’s visit Sri Lanka and Qatar are to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a High Joint Committee.

According to the External Affairs Ministry the MoU is expected to strengthen the bilateral relations in the economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, technical, and educational and information sectors.

“This visit will mark an important milestone in Sri Lanka-Qatar relations and would pave way for greater economic cooperation between the two countries,” the Ministry said.