Bulgarian President sees bright investment prospects

Rasika Somarathna

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and a high powered delegation including several Ministers and officials and investors numbering 70 during a two day visit to Sri Lanka has responded in a positive manner in becoming stakeholders of new Vistas arising in the country, in the aftermath of the conflict.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama addressing the media yesterday said the Bulgarian President had a positive outlook on the progress made by Sri Lanka so far in the aftermath of the conflict.

The large number of trade delegates is indicative of their enthusiasm in exploring new investment opportunities, the Minister added.

The Minister described the bilateral discussions as fruitful not only in strengthening ties between the two nations but as an extension of furthering relations with the European Union.

He told media that talks had centered around areas such as current political interactions, development of conflict affected North and East and rest of the country, resettlement of IDP’s, devolution of power including the 13th amendment, GSP plus issue and Government’s future economic thrust.

The Minister added that he had made the Bulgarian President aware on the Government efforts to comply with GSP plus requirements and the importance of retaining the concession.

Efforts to empower people politically and progress of IDP resettlement where the numbers had come down to 170,000, and efforts to resettle the rest at the earliest possible, too had been made aware of, he added.

While adding that the Bulgarian delegation had responded in a positive manner after getting first hand information on the relevant subjects the Minister said that future cooperation in identified areas would be worked out after further discussions.

The Bulgarian President is accompanied by his wife Zorka and several Ministers including Minister of Economy and Energy, Minister of Culture, Minister of Labour and Social Policy, MPs, Deputy Ministers and Directors of executive agencies in Bulgaria.