Sri Lanka is aiming to expand its presence in Qatar. “Sri Lanka is aiming to expand its presence in Qatar, specifically in the Qatari employment market” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 25 October.
Joined by HE the Preident Maithripala Sirisena, Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the ‘Qatari-Sri Lankan Business Forum’ in Doha on 25 October.
According to the Depatment of Commerce, Sri Lanka’s exports to Qatar remains low, averaging around US$ 14.5 Mn in 2016. Main export items from Sri Lanka include Bananas including Plantains in fresh or dried form, Edible Preparations, Coconut Milk Powder, Tea, Sweet Biscuits, Apparel, Vegetables in fresh or dried form etc, while products such as Plastics, Aluminum products, Paper & paper products, Iron & Steel products, Organic Chemicals etc. feature as its key import items from Qatar. Sri Lanka’s total imports from Qatar stood at US$ 30.1 Mn in 2016.
“We all know that Qatar has a very good potential in the fields of education, technology, and infrastructure. We are looking forward to establishing fruitful business linkages and partnerships with Qatari authorities in all conceivable areas for co-operation” said Minister Bsthiudeen, and added:”Sri Lanka is aiming to expand its presence in Qatar, specifically in the Qatari employment market. Our professional, skilled and semi-skilled workforce have the capacity to contribute productively to the growth of the Qatari economy. Sri Lanka is also blessed with an expat friendly environment with housing, leisure and schools to accommodate the needs of the business and the entrepreneurial community, which stands out as an added advantage. I invite Qatari business personnel and the Sri Lanka Diaspora to acquire the full advantage of this Forum and the opportunities present in my country. Our government has embarked upon a new direction, which also gives an important place to recognizing the ability of the Sri Lankan diaspora to join hands with us in the socio-economic development process. We are not immune to the global fluctuations that affect our market potentials considerably. It is in this context that we look for new markets and seek to consolidate greater economic relations with friendly nations such as Qartar. We are implementing a series of reforms to revitalize Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness including the ease of doing business. It will integrate the country more closely with the region and the rest of the world. The supportive legal reforms to be introduced particularly to Inland Revenue , Foreign Exchange , State Land Bank, Anti Dumping will considerably improve the business-friendly environment. The Qatari market is an important destination for Sri Lanka. There is greater potential available to be tapped by our business sector. It is therefore our hope that this forum will create a platform for networking by both our entrepreneurs and the business personnel to reap the expected targets in our trade and investment relations.”
According to the Department of Commerce of SriLanka, Qatar is also an important employment market -Sri Lankans mostly employed in minor job categories.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani listen to a presentation delivered during the ‘Qatari-Sri Lankan Business Forum’ in Doha. Joining them are Sri Lanka’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake, and Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, as well as other dignitaries. (PHOTO COURTESY: GULF TIMES)
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