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Sri Lanka-Swiss ties to be expanded

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey who is in Sri Lanka on a first ever visit by a Swiss Foreign Minister Held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday evening covering a wide range of subjects.

While appreciating Swiss assistance provided in many fields including economic and humanitarian spheres, Foreign Minister Kadirgamar stated that Sri Lanka looks forward to maximizing the economic dimension of this relationship. Special focus was placed on Swiss companies active in Sri Lanka investing in the small and medium enterprises sector.

Foreign Minister Kadirgamar specifically mentioned the areas of the diary industry, skills development and tourism for this purpose, states a Foreign Ministry press release.

The Swiss Minister responded that Holcim, which has invested in Sri Lanka since 1980 has expressed its willingness to increase its investment by Swiss Francs 30 million.

Referring to the request made by the Sri Lankan side to assist in its investment promotion drive, Minister Calmy-Rey stated that they would consider this positively. She also observed that Swiss imports from Sri Lanka has considerably increased in 2003.

The two sides also discussed about improving judicial cooperation and agreed to convene negotiations on an air services agreement early.

The Swiss Foreign Minister's visit also coincides with the regional conference of Swiss Ambassadors which is taking place in Colombo for the first time.

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