Sri Lanka will commence the initial discussions on the proposed comprehensive Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreements with China, India, and Singapore next week.
Discussions with China will be held on August 2nd, 3rd, 4th, with India on August 9th, 10th, and with Singapore at the end of August. As Sri Lanka had not a National Policy on International Trade for last 10 years, it is also expected to finalize the National Policy by the end of August concurrently to the discussions.
“Basically we’ve discussed with all the trade chambers and professionals come under the United Professionals’ Movement and separately with GMOA from time to time and have invited one of them to be in the negotiating team. This is the first time that is very open for out and very transparent. In addition, we’ve invited all the political parties in Parliament to form a Working Group, so that we can brief them time to time and can get their views as well ”, said the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickreme. He was addressing a press conference yesterday (26th July) in Colombo.
According to the Minister, no foreign professional will be allowed to come here and to take any job opportunity that Sri Lanka has.
Addressing the media, the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faizer Mustapha agreed with the Minister Samarawickreme on the stance on foreign professionals and said, “We will only get the required professional skills through technological transfers.”
The agreements are expected to be signed before the end of the first quarter of next year.