Iran- Sri Lanka talks end well with further cooperation proposed
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The Iranian delegation at the talks.
The 11th Session of the Sri Lanka Iran Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation organised by the Department of Commerce with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce concluded in Colombo on Wednesday. The Sri Lanka delegation was headed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and included officials from the key ministries while the Iranian delegation was led by Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hamid Chitchian wit officials from Iran’s Ministries of Energy, Foreign Affairs, Oil, etc.
Minister Bathiudeen welcoming the Iranian delegation said that the new unity government led by the Sri Lankan President Maithiripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured global confidence of Sri Lanka.
The new government will set the stage for the next economic development by introducing major changes in many sectors. He said the establishment of the joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, between the two countries at ministerial level in 1987, added a further significance for cooperation for development and strengthening the relations in the areas of trade, economic and technical cooperation.
The Minister said that since international sanctions on Iran were lifted from last month, the 11th meeting of the joint Commission has created more opportunities to refresh bilateral relations between the two countries. The balance of trade between the two counties has continuously been in favour of Iran over the years and after 2013 it changed in favour of Sri Lanka.
Minister Chitchian said the views expressed by both delegations will strengthen the cultural, bilateral and political relations that will bring about a positive effect on economic cooperation and to identify business opportunities and investment between the two friendly countries. He said that expanding political, economic and cultural cooperation between Iran and Sri Lanka is one of the most important milestones of the Iranian Republic and a special emphasis will be laid to develop the tourism and the health sector.
(JJ)