Indo-Lanka economic ties strengthened

India’s Commerce Secretary S.R. Rao met Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa last week to discuss further strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic ties including in trade and commerce, exports and investment and the area of tourism development.

Both sides also focused their attention on transport problems relating to exports and the need to develop transport services.

Among the matters discussed were the garment, textile and handloom industries, tourism development, generating solar energy, agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry. India expects to invest in these areas in the near future, according to the Indian delegation. Among others who attended the meeting were Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardena, India’s Department of Commerce Joint Secretary Arvind Mehta, India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, P. Kumaran, Department of Commerce Director Indira Murthy and Indian High Commission (Eco and Com) Counsellor Manish.