World focused on SL: Last year 23 leaders visited the country
Sri Lanka is to be made into a regional hub by aligning with neighbouring countries and by utilising the maritime route to develop trade, said the Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake the Chief Guest at the Global Shapers hub 2016 held at the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel in Colombo last week. He said the country is taking positive steps and is moving towards a better direction in trying to bring in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to the country. ”We are also looking at developing both the maritime and the IT sectors with the expertise of young professionals.
There was talent, commitment and enthusiasm when I met young persons of the Global Shapers about nine months back. They are going to be the future leaders of the country.” Referring to the change in the country since last year, he said the President and the Prime Minister should be commended for bringing the two major political parties together. “Last year we had 23 world leaders coming to Sri Lanka and the President was invited to visit more than 15 countries and this year we expect 20 foreign dignitaries to visit Sri Lanka,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva, delving into history, said that Sri Lanka has always being a globalised entity and during 14-15 century Sri Lanka was a global trading hub and now history is repeating itself. “Aligning with neighbouring countries will pave the way to have access to duty free trade with countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. If we do not capitalise the changes that are taking place in the region we should be ashamed of ourselves.”