President's visit strengthens Sri Lanka-Jordan ties

Kamini Edirisinghe

JORDAN: Sri Lanka-Jordan relations reached new heights with the visit of the Sri Lankan government and business delegation headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the invitation of King Abdullah of Jordan. The President's attendance at the World Economic Forum and the second Summit of the G 11 countries held in Dead Sea, Jordan, from May 17 to 21, brought Sri Lanka under the spotlight.

The country leaders of G11 nations headed by King Abdullah and supported by President Rajapaksa urged the ease of debt burdens of G11 nations. G11 leaders also identified four priorities. Debt Alleviation, Investment Promotion, Trade Development and Targeted Grant Assistance and submitted them to G8 for consideration at their next Summit in June.

Bilateral discussions on May 18 between King Abdullah and the President successfully focused on priority areas for both countries.

Importance of the visit of Sri Lankan delegation to Jordan was amply demonstrated by the composition of the Sri Lankan delegation. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Foreign Employment Promotion & Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister A. H. M. Fowzie and several other Ministers and Deputy Ministers participated at discussions with Jordanian counterparts.

Sri Lankan businessmen were able to identify several niche markets in import dependent Jordan economy.

This is the first occasion a Head of State of Sri Lanka had visited Jordan, in an official capacity with a high powered official and resourceful business delegation.

Agreements were signed relating to Trade and Cultural Corporation between Sri Lanka and Jordan. An agreement between the Chamber of Commerce of Jordan and both the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Sri Lanka was also signed.

It is expected that an agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection and another on Labour Standards and Relations between the two countries will be pursued.

A Memorandum of Understanding covering exchange of Students and Resources between Yamrouk University in Jordan and the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka is being prepared.

A well attended business forum was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel organized by the Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan and the Jordan Chamber of Commerce on May 20 where entrepreneurs from both countries participated.

This was a concluding forum following the one to one meetings held on May 19 and 20 between the entrepreneurs of the two countries, looking for new opportunities in trade and services.