Bahrain Finance Minister calls on President:

Bahrain - SL tax deal to benefit 15,000 locals

Bahrain businessmen to visit Sri Lanka:

Discuss investment promotion:

Visiting Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Sheikh Ahmed bin Mahamed Al Khalifa called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees and held wide ranging discussions yesterday morning.

The bilateral agreement between Sri Lanka and Bahrain to prevent double taxation gained prominence during the discussions.

This agreement for avoidance of double taxation in respect of goods and services was extremely beneficial for trade between the two countries as well as nearly 15,000 Sri Lankan workers employed in Bahrain it was disclosed at this meeting, said a press release issued by the President's Media Division.

Investment promotion between the two countries also gained prominence during the discussions.

Sheikh Khalifa said Bahrain would always welcome the Sri Lankan business community willing to invest in Bahrain. He also agreed to send a group of Bahraini businessmen to Sri Lanka to discuss investment opportunities.

A group of schoolchildren visiting Temple Trees on an education tour were also introduced to Sheikh Khalifa by the President and the Sheikh exchanged pleasantries with the schoolchildren.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Chief of Staff and Additional Secretary to the President Gamini Senerath and Sri Lanka's ambassador in Kuwait C A A M Wijeratne were also present at the discussions.