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Friday, 10 August 2012 00:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The bilateral decisions and initiatives during the visit of Minister of Industry, Commerce and Textiles of India Anand Sharma and the high-powered delegation were the “fastest bilateral decision making anywhere” and Sri Lanka has the potential to be the Singapore of South Asia, the Minister asserted.
“The biggest thing is that in all my visits and decisions anywhere else in the world, the decisions reached in less than two days in Sri Lanka have been the fastest decisions ever taken by two countries. That should send a clear message that both the countries and their leaders are committed and the industry leaders are enthused,” said Sharma on 4 August.
Minister Sharma was speaking at the special dinner hosted by Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.
Along with Minister Bathiudeen’s and Minister Sharma’s top officials such as Ministry Secretaries and Additional Secretaries, also in attendance were top CEOs and tycoons from both the countries as well as Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda.
Sri Lanka’s potential
Addressing the invitees, Minister Sharma said: “We are grateful for the warm words that have been expressed, the manner in which we have been treated, with affection, warmth and respect. My visit though brief from your point of view, is a long visit for me from my perspective, due to the way we travel. I promise that this is the beginning of our together writing a new essay of friendship based on trust and respect to open not only to open a pathway of economic cooperation, but to open a highway of economic partnership.
“We are very much appreciative of the positive response of your Government with regard to decisions that we have made. This visit was also not only to showcase not only what India can do with Sri Lanka, in manufacturing capabilities, knowledge industry strength, culture of cuisines known to you which is to a large extent shared historically.
“I’ll only say that as closest neighbours in South Asia, as economies which are on the rise and countries with potential, it is not only a question of how big the numbers such as population and production numbers look. More important is the intrinsic wealth of a country and the potential. I see in Sri Lanka the potential of being the Singapore of South Asia. You have it all –much more resources when it comes to lands, human resources and natural resources. Let us work together to bring about a transformation so that the coming generations benefit from this partnership. I am not going to get into details. I did not think that I will be returning with so much positivity and the decisions made.
“I can say with all humility that India not only has an abiding commitment, and I was particularly keen to allay any apprehension misconception about the imbalances and about what India seeks to do. India is a friend and a true partner of Sri Lanka. Therefore we are keen that the economic engagement is such that we invest and create jobs, value addition is done here. Today when global production chains are being created Sri Lanka is a part of the major value and production chains of South Asia. That is going to happen. We are also very clear that we take decisions and implement them.
Building strong bridges
“My experiences have taught me such that I have never come with any preconceived notions or expectations. We registered what was said and we responded to that. And you responded to our proposals. We have taken decisions elsewhere in the world, decisions were made, understandings reached. The biggest thing is that in all my visits and decisions anywhere else in the world, the decisions reached in less than two days in Sri Lanka have been the fastest decisions ever taken by two countries and that should send a clear message that both the countries and their leaders are committed and the industry leaders are enthused. There is not only discernible but expressed interest to engage. Let us take it forward and leave it to the able officials in both our Governments.
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| Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (left) and Anand Sharma, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Textiles of India address the invites at the special dinner hosted by Minister Bathiudeen in honour of the visiting Indian bilateral delegation on 4 August at the Atrium of Cinnamon Grand |
“I believe in the wisdom of the CEOs of both countries – they won’t be called the CEOs if they didn’t have the leadership abilities and the capacities. They don’t have the protective umbrella –they have to take the risks and achieve growth – that is why they are called leaders. I am sure that together we will build strong bridges which will ensure that this great partnership will endure for generations to come.”
Collaborative rite of passage
Addressing the invitees, Minister Bathiudeen said: “It is now nationwide knowledge that the India Show 2012 and the connected events have exceeded their initial expectations and also elevated our longstanding bilateral links to an almost new level by presenting many doors of opportunities to both sides by being an eye-opener while also establishing a new understanding between the historic neighbours.
“It is also very clear that this was not a mere exercise in track three diplomacy but rather a highly significant, collaborative rite of passage in the history of our bilateral relations, highlighting the emergence of a superior mutual trade business and investment environment which is set to further strengthen the robustness of Sri Lanka’s future development landscape in many ways than one. Therefore, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka let me extend my sincere appreciation to the people and the Government of India, and specially the high-level official and business delegation led by Minister Anand Sharma for the immense confidence they have placed on us by their various initiatives announced in Colombo, which is another confirmation of the centuries-old friendly and caring bilateral outreach by India, towards Sri Lanka.
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| Lankan dancers perform at the special dinner hosted by Minister Bathiudeen in honour of the visiting Indian bilateral delegation |
“I should also stress that the business zeal of the high level official and business delegation led by Minister Anand Sharma is not lost on us. In fact, this was clearly evident at the fruitful meeting between the visiting delegation and President Mahinda Rajapaksa that took place today. Finally, as we toast this important milestone since the signing of Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement, I also wish to thank the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan business and investment community and the Chamber of Commerce for their untiring efforts to make this event an outstanding success.”
