US $ 500m Qatar contracts for Lanka
Jobs in construction sector:
Mohammed Naalir
Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne
said Sri Lanka has obtained US $ 500 million worth construction
contracts in Qatar.
He said moves are under way to penetrate the international
construction industry to obtain employment and earn foreign exchange for
Sri Lanka.
Senaratne said the Ministry intends to explore markets in Dubai,
Europe, the Maldives and other countries and plans to increase the
quantity in the future.
The Minister was on an official tour to Doha, Qatar accompanied by
Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris.
Addressing the media at the Information Department Auditorium
yesterday, Senaratne said members of the construction industry signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber of Commerce of Doha, Qatar
to carry out construction work in Qatar and obtain employment for Sri
Lankan workers.
He said 165 Sri Lankans are in the construction industry in Qatar and
another 600 in related services.
Senaratne expressed confidence that Sri Lankans from the rank of
engineer to labourer could obtain employment in Qatar with high
remunerations.
The Minister pointed out the prime reason to enter the Qatar
construction industry was that Qatar is the third richest country where
the per capita income is US$ 65,000 dollars.
Senaratne said there is no competition in the Qatar construction
industry and penetrating the market would be easy. Minister Pieris
observed that the service sector is the most important sector
contributing more than 65 per cent to the economy.
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