UAE’s Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister concludes official Visit to Sri Lanka

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka today (22).This visit followed the visit of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka to the UAE from 10-13 February 2025, to attend the World Government Summit 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a media release. 

During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE called on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka today. He also had a fruitful bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, the Ministry added. 

The discussion with Minister Herath focused on further advancing the long standing close bilateral cooperation between the two countries, investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka for UAE entrepreneurs, economic cooperation and trade.

Foreign Minister Herath invited UAE businessmen, investors, and tourists to consider Sri Lanka as a preferred destination. He stated that investment opportunities are available in Sri Lanka in sectors including power & energy, refinery, pharmaceuticals, IT sector, textile & fabrics and tourism. 

The UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs appreciated the stability and progress achieved by Sri Lanka and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka is moving in the right direction for economic stability and future growth.

He further noted that the UAE is a close partner of Sri Lanka maintaining cordial bilateral relations which is also evident through the people – to – people contacts. He expressed interest in furthering cooperation in a number of spheres including energy, tourism and food sector. Creating more employment opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals and semi – skilled workers in the UAE was also discussed during the discussion.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the signing of the Trilateral MOU for cooperation in development of Trincomalee as an energy hub and stated that it will provide the framework for greater cooperation among the three countries.

On the sidelines of the meeting, both Ministers also witnessed the signing of the MoU between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka on the Establishment of the UAE - Sri Lanka Joint Business Council which will pave the way to enhance the cooperation between the business communities of both countries, the Foreign Ministry further said.