Lanka, Egypt sign tourism pact
The second day of the bilateral visit of Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama to Egypt began with the signing of an MOU between the two
Governments on Tourism Cooperation, the Foreign Ministry said. The
signing ceremony was preceded by a meeting between the Foreign Minister
and Zoheir Garranah, the Minister of Tourism of Egypt.
The two Ministers agreed that there was a need to develop new tourism
products and diversify the existing product base, including the
construction of facilities to host international conferences, events,
seminars and workshops.
Catering to the needs of tourists and providing a higher quality
service was seen by the two Ministers as being of importance for the
future development of the tourism industry.
In order to increase connectivity among Asia, Middle East and Africa
improving the enhancement of air links was seen as crucial.
The two Ministers also discussed the threat posed by terrorism which
could impact on the tourism sector. The Ministers agreed that there was
a compelling need to arrest such threat factors in order to protect this
vital industry.
The MOU that was signed provided for the establishment of a Joint
Tourism Committee to address issues related to human resource
development and training, exchange of information and experts in the
field of tourism investment, participation in tourism fairs and
exhibitions, and encouraging the provision of preferential rates for
both countries in order to boost tourism.
A notable feature was also the provision to involve the Private
Sector in the Joint Tourism Committee Meetings.
At the signing ceremony, Minister Garranah stated that this MOU would
pave the way for greater engagement between the tourism sectors of the
two countries.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama in his address at the ceremony, referred
to the historical links that exist between Egypt and Sri Lanka and the
close cooperation between the two countries in international fora
including in the Non Aligned Movement.
He added that such close ties could get translated in to enhancing
cooperation in the Tourism sector.
Minister Bogollagama referred to the vigour and dynamism infused by
Milinda Moragoda, the Minister of Tourism of Sri Lanka in developing
this sector and informed that the Tourism Minister would visit Egypt in
the near future to expand on the ties that have already been
established. |