Sri Lanka, UAE Discuss Expanding Economic Cooperation

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath has concluded a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he held discussions with senior UAE officials on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.

During his visit from September 2 to 3, Herath met UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar and Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.

The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in investment, trade, tourism and labour, while identifying new opportunities to deepen economic engagement between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Herath also met UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi on the sidelines of the Sri Lanka Day event in Dubai. During the meeting, he expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in expediting the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.

The second edition of “Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams,” organized by the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Dubai, brought together around 400 representatives from government, business, tourism, trade and diplomatic circles.

During the visit, Herath also met senior executives of the UAE-based EMAAR Group and invited the company to explore investment opportunities in Colombo Port City. The discussions also covered potential real estate development projects.

Officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General in Dubai and relevant government institutions participated in the meetings and engagements.