Dr Jayasundera visits India, talks focus on economy

Finance and Planning Ministry and Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr P B Jayasundera visited India from December 12 to 15 and held wide-ranging consultations with Indian officials.

Dr Jayasundera met Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Pulok Chatterji, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, Department of Expenditure Finance Secretary R S Gujral, Commerce Secretary S R Rao, Textiles Secretary Kiran Dhingra, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chairman and managing director Rahul Khullar, and EXIM Bank of India chairman and managing director T C Ranganathan.

Discussions focused on the state of the economy of both countries, the external economic environment, cooperation between India and Sri Lanka on trade and investment including expansion of cooperation in these sectors, joint venture projects, EXIM bank financing and credit lines, and infrastructure projects being carried out in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance.

The wide-ranging meetings provided an opportunity to build on discussions between the two countries regarding several projects and procurement programmes at different levels and explore new areas to deepen and broaden economic engagement.

Follow-up on decisions taken during the recent visit to Sri Lanka by Indian Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Ananda Sharma formed part of the discussions.

At all meetings, there was recognition of the potential benefit that would accrue to both countries in working together to meet common challenges such as generation of employment, sustaining growth, alleviation of poverty and ensuring macroeconomic stability.