More opportunities for Sri Lankan constructors - Male Minister

Sri Lankan construction industry would have extensive opportunities in the Maldives said Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Maldives, Dr. Mahmoodh Shanqee.

“Since the government of the Maldives had decided to build 44 more resort hotels, (while 10 more were in the pipeline) there would a growth of about 40% in the tourism sector within the next 3 years,” he said.

The Maldivian Minister who met a delegation led by Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, said that a construction boon would therefore be anticipated.

The delegation was in the Maldives for two days and had discussions with the Government of the Maldives and the Maldivian business on expanding significantly the business and trade relationship between the two countries.

CEO/Secretary-General of the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka, Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya, Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya responded by indicating that the Sri Lankan construction sector would be able to provide high quality services not only with regard to construction itself, but in a variety of other fields including quantity surveying, land valuation and specialized services like air conditioning and interior decoration.

Professor Peiris informed Minister Shanqee of the expertise available in Sri Lanka in the field of commercial arbitration, a priority need in the Maldives in the context of the flourishing business environment.

A separate meeting took place with the President of the Maldives Association of Construction Industry.

The growth in tourism will also result in increased demand for high quality fruits, vegetables and spices. Mr. Sarath de Silva indicated, at the meeting with Minister of Fisheries Agriculture and Marine Resources, Hussain Hilmy, that Sri Lankan exporters are amply equipped to take advantage of these opportunities and expressed special interest in the proposed port facility, with provision for storage of perishable goods in the vicinity.

Modalities for co-operation between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Maldivian business community were discussed in depth at the meeting which Minister Peiris and the delegation had with Mr. Mohamed Salih, President of the Maldivian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Maldives, discussed with the delegation the way forward to strengthen the trade relationship, Mohamed Jaleel, especially in respect of the service sector.

President of the Sri Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers’ Association, Sarath de Silva, CEO/Secretary-General of the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka, Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, representative, Ms.Lilakshini de Mel Principal Advisor, SAARC and Trade Promotion Project of GTZ, Eberhard Hauser, and Advisor, GTZ, Roshanjith Sriniwasa, were the members of the delegation.