Sri Lanka insists on strengthening economic ties with Bangladesh

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof Gamini Lakshman Peiris has highlighted the importance of strengthening relations with Bangladesh aiming to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister made the remark during a meeting with the Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday at State Guest House, Padma. 

The Sri Lankan minister sought collaboration in the area of e-commerce, involvement in the digital sector through sharing of Bangladesh’s expertise. He particularly stressed on further cooperation in the sectors like trade and commerce, investment, tourism, connectivity, agriculture, fisheries, education and people to people contact. 

During the meeting, Dr Momen particularly described Bangladesh’s success in the pharmaceutical sector and urged Sri Lankan counterpart to import pharmaceuticals products from Bangladesh.

The two leaders of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka further emphasised on expeditious conclusion of PTA and enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries. 

Both the ministers noted the ongoing cooperation under IORA, maritime cooperation, maritime security, blue economy, climate change, prevention of overexploitation of marine resources etc.

They also pledged to explore the possible collaboration between the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University of Bangladesh and the National Institute of Oceanographic Marine Sciences of Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister has been visiting Dhaka from 15-18 November 2021 and is expected to attend the 21st meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers’ (COM) which is scheduled to be held on 17 November 2021.