Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Wednesday, 18 December 2013 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The accession of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Father of present Emir of the State of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to power in 1995 marked an important junction in the march of national work in the country and vital step on the road leading to political and economic modernization and overall development as a basic frame of action to attain the sought for national objectives.
The visionary thinking of the leadership of the State of Qatar has transformed the country into a model for the region and had fostered the development of a diversified economy through dedication to the advancement of the country’s economic, political and social institutions. Presently Qatar is taking tangible qualitative leaps on the way of developments and marked development as a basic framework of action to attain the national objectives.
Qatar has achieved within a short period of time what other countries take decades to accomplish. Currently boasts one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The Qatari Economy continues to exhibit remarkable growth and the country is now the most competitive of the Arab economies.
Qatar also sits on the third largest natural gas reserves holding 15% of the world’s total proven reserves. The State is carving a name for itself as the new tiger economy of the Gulf that fuelled by burgeoning liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Qatar could account for as much as 20% of the global supply of (LNG).
Qatar’s economic climate regulations and laws have created a suitable environment for doing business paving the way for the international companies to enter the country’s market and benefit from prevailing boom in all sectors.
Furthermore, the country significantly broadened its presence abroad with regional and international partnerships acquisitions.
In the field of foreign policy the Qatari leadership has the upper hand in laying out and implementing a sound policy that has resulted in the establishment of fruitful friendship relations with most of countries of the world.
I am glad to note that there have been tremendous developments of Qatar Sri Lanka relations in all fields specially in the recent past. Qatari and Sri Lankan delegations have exchanged many visits, in the sphere of foreign relations, trade and investment. The visits of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al- Thani to Sri Lanka in January 2012, in which 09 Agreements and MoUs signed between the two countries, and of then Prime Minister and Foreign Minister His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jabor Al-Thani in December 2011 had been milestones in the path of Qatari-Sri Lanka relations. It is remarkable that the President His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa also made an official visit to the State of Qatar in May 2012.
Be in the political, economic, social or cultural arena, there is no doubt that Qatar is enjoying a boom period.
Finally on this happy occasion, I extend my heartiest greetings to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar and His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al- Thani and to the people of the State of Qatar.
I also wish the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and its friendly people, peace prosperity and success.
