Archives

Norwegian support vital to develop private sector

by Ravi Ladduwahetty

Norway's engagement in the peace process is another important facet in the growing relationship between the two countries, Minister assisting Foreign Affairs Lal Dharmapriya Gamage told the Sri Lanka- Norway Annual Consultation Meeting at the Foreign Ministry auditorium yesterday.

The Government has attached considerable importance to Norwegian support in developing Sri Lanka's private sector, he said

It was gratifying to note that Sri lanka is one of the pilot countries included in the formulation of a Norwegian strategy for private sector development, known as the matchmaking program which has become an important investment in the private sector and therefore led to a lot of interest in the private sector.

The program has led to the formation of six joint ventures which has led to the interest among Norwegian companies in establishing six joint ventures in 2000 in sectors such as boat production, IT agriculture and coconut raw materials, he said. Commenting on the tourism sector, he said that Norway was one of the key tourism generating markets in the past which has generated over 10,000 tourists per annum.

Minister Gamage also said that for the purpose of development assistance, Sri Lanka will be shifted from the priority partner category to other cooperation partner group.

Norwegian Deputy Minister for Development Cooperation Olav Kjorven said that he was pleased to visit Sri Lanka with whom his country continues to have relations for many years and is an important partner in development cooperation.

He assured Minister Gamage that there will be no change in the quantum of development assistance due to reclassification which would approximately be US Dollars 11 million. Norway would be glad to be of assistance to Sri Lanka in order to enhance the development prospects and bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Norway.

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry was represented by Deputy Minister Olav Kjorven, Director of the Asia Division Elisabeth Jacobson, Executive Officer Kjersti Tromsdal. The NORAD team at the meeting was led by Morton Svelle and Harriett Solheim. The Norwegian Embassy in Colombo was represented by Ambassador Jon Westborg, Minister Counsellor Oddvar Laegreid, Tor Kubberud and Sven Rambell.

The Sri Lankan delegation to the meeting was Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo Secretary assisting Foreign Affairs Mrs. R.S. Athukorale and other Foreign Ministry officials who included Additional Secretary- Multilateral Affairs N. Navaratnaraja, Additional Secretary-Political Affairs Ananda Goonasekera Legal Adviser Dr. Rohan Perera, Director General / South Asia and SAARC Mrs. Sarala Fernando, Additional Director of External Resources J.H.J. Jayamaha, Director General of Commerce M.G. Hewage, Additional Director General of Economic Affairs Kshenuka Senewiratne and Director Economic Affairs Mrs. G. Asirwatham.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager