Sri Lanka, Pakistan boost tourism ties
by Anjana Gamage
The Memorandum of Understanding signed this week between Sri Lanka
and Pakistan to cooperate on Tourism and Archaeology is expected to open
a new window of opportunity for both countries.
This is expected to maintain the momentum gained by the Sri
Lanka-Pakistan Free Trade Pact, signed in February during President
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's official visit. The landmark visit
took Sri Lanka-Pakistan ties to a higher level, with the signing of
several important agreements.
"The broader objective of the Mou is to strengthen friendly relations
through the promotion of mutual understanding of the people through
expansion of cooperation in the fields of tourism and archaeology", Dr.
P. Ramanujam, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism told the Daily News.
The first joint working group met in Lahore on April 9-10 to discuss
modalities of carrying out various proposals.
Many proposals had been discussed under broad headings including
development of tourist tariff, promotion of tourism, training and
exchange of experiences, investment in tourism sector and the
preservation and exchange of experiences of archaeological heritages.
Based on the discussions, the joint working group will work on an action
plan targeted at both short and long term gains mutually beneficial to
both countries.
At operational level, the joint working group will be monitoring the
progress of the work carried out in the form of facilitating the
exchange of tourist information and experiences, establishment of
contacts between relevant parties mainly the private sector operators
and exploring and activating joint collaboration on investment,
education and technical training in the tourism and archaeology sectors
as well.
The two countries are also exploring the possibility of increasing
air links to facilitate tourism and business.
The sessions were followed by a meeting with the Minister of State
for Tourism in Pakistan Sumaira Malik, where the emphasis was on
translating policies into action and facilitating the participation of
the private sector to realise the goals of the MOU.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Dr. Ramanujam along with the
other members A.P.A. Gunasekera, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural
Affairs and Vipula Wanigasekera, General Manager of Sri Lanka Convention
Bureau.
|