Oman plans to explore investment opportunities

Conditions in Sri Lanka after the eradication of terrorism are entirely conducive to expansion of the business relationship between Sri Lanka and Tehran, said Oman's Foreign Minister Yousuf Alawi bin Abdullah.

The Minister said so when he met External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris on the sidelines of the Ninth Asia Co-operation Dialogue in Tehran.

Abullah also said that the Sultanate of Oman would, in the coming months, explore actively with the Sri Lankan Government avenues for increasing investment.

More vigorous co-operation among countries of the Indian Ocean Rim, especially with regard to the security of sea lanes and also in respect of enhanced trade opportunities, was considered timely. It was agreed that Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman would work together on the basis of a structured program towards this objective, he said.

Minister Abdullah thanked Prof Peiris for the arrangements made by Sri Lanka for the reception of the vessel The Jewel of Muscat, in the port of Galle.

He characterized this as a symbol of recognition of the ancient trade and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and Oman.

Prof Peiris had a substantive meeting with Brunei's Foreign Minister Mohammad Bolkiah who indicated interest in investment by Brunei in the flourishing tourism sector in Sri Lanka.

Ministers Peiris and Bolkiah agreed to make arrangements for an early exchange of visits by Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries, to expedite implementation.