Qatar keen on investing in Sri Lanka

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

The Government of Qatar is keen to invest in the travel and tourism sector in Sri Lanka, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabar Al Thani said addressing the Sri Lankan top businessmen at the Hilton Colombo yesterday.

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad addressing the gathering at Hilton Colombo. Ministers G L Peiris and Sarath Amunugama and Qatar Finance Minister Yoosuf Husein look on. Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa

He said that a business conference for Sri Lankan business community will be arranged next year in Qatar with their Chambers of Commerce. “I see great potential and opportunities in the education and tourism sectors in beautiful Sri Lanka and good infrastructure is very important for the development of the tourism sector, he said.

External Affairs Minister G L Peiris said the discussion between the Sri Lankan President and Qatar Prime Minister emphasised concrete confirmation on the Kalpitiya Tourism Development Project. He said the political relationship between the two governments have been excellent and this meeting will enhance the economic content of the relationship.

International Monetary Cooperation Minister and Senior Minister Sarath Amunugama said the fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister of Qatar on the economic front agreed to increase air travel frequencies from Doha to Colombo and Colombo to Doha as a large number of people are travelling both ways.

The toll road from Colombo to Katunayake is already in progress and discussions were held to develop the toll road from Katunayake to Kalpitiya.

The development of the City Hotel concept and fish farming also were discussed.

Looking at possibilities for Qatar people to enter the Sri Lankan stock exchange is another idea and a feasibility report will be done on this subject he said.