Qatar happy over SL’s progress - Qatar Prime Minister

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani yesterday expressed happiness over the achievements made by Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the conflict and reiterated the need for closer ties between the two countries in the economic and investment fields.

The visiting Premier said that the government of Qatar and its investors are willing to commence mega hotel projects in tourist hot spots in the country. He said a group of investors from Qatar is to visit Sri Lanka to explore the possibility of making more investments in the tourism sector.

The visiting Prime Minister expressed these views when he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

The Qatari PM said that they have a proper understanding of the places where these hotels are going to be established and expressed willingness to invest in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa briefed the Qatar PM on the progress made by Sri Lanka in a number of fields including the resettlement of people displaced by LTTE atrocities.

It was also decided at the bilateral talks that the representatives of both countries should further discuss matters in relation to investment.

President Rajapaksa was of the view that the visit by Qatar Prime Minister will help cement the closer ties between two countries.

Senior Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Commerce and Industry Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were also present.