I want to thank Prime Minister Thavisin for accepting my invitation to be the Guest of Honour at the celebration of the 76th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence.
The main focus of this visit is accelerating economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand. There is significant potential for expanding trade and investment ties between our two countries, which have remained largely untapped. The Prime Minister and I witnessed the signing of the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) a short while ago. This is the second FTA; Sri Lanka is concluding with an ASEAN partner, the first with Singapore. The two sides worked expeditiously to conclude this agreement, highlighting the vital interest of both Governments in this important endeavour.
This is a milestone in our economic partnership, and operationalizing the FTA will be a priority. The FTA is expected to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Additionally, we have renewed the Air-Services Agreement to enhance connectivity between the two countries, and a MoU has been concluded between the Gems and Jewellery Research and Training Institute of Sri Lanka and the Gems and Jewellery Institute of Thailand. Both of these agreements will enhance economic, trade and tourism exchanges.
Today, we also had a very productive discussion on elevating Sri Lanka-Thai relations. During the bilateral discussion between our two delegations, which concluded a little while ago, we covered a wide range of areas of cooperation. There is considerable potential to develop tourism, trade and other areas of economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand. We see great potential for enhanced investments from Thailand coming into Sri Lanka, and we discussed possible areas for collaboration. We also had a detailed exchange on cooperation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, which both countries are keenly interested in pursuing.
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Business Today Sri Lanka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Business Today Sri Lanka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Vision Care Expands Branch Network with New Wennappuwa City branch
Vision Care opened its newest branch in Wennappuwa, further expanding its network of accessible, top-quality vision care services across the country.
HNB Wins' Sri Lanka's Best Bank' and 'Sri Lanka's Best Bank for SMEs'
HNB was honored with the titles of 'Sri Lanka's Best Bank' and 'Sri Lanka's Best Bank for SMEs at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024.
People's Bank 'People's Pay' App Now Offers Easy Access to CRIB 'My Report'
In the current fast-paced environment, the ability to promptly access vital information can greatly expedite financial transactions.
HNB Partners with John Keells CG Auto
HNB has strategically partnered with John Keells CG Auto (JKCG Auto) to offer innovative leasing solutions for their BYD vehicle range.
Pathfinder Foundation Presents Sinhala Translation of 'The India Way' to Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
The Pathfinder Foundation presented the Sinhala translation of Dr. S. Jaishankar's seminal work, The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World, (ඉන්දීය. මාවත අවිනිශ්චිත ලෝකයක උපාය මාර්ග) to the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister during a ceremony in Colombo.
SLT-MOBITEL Nebula Institute of Technology recognized on Campus Chapter as the tenth IET
SLT-MOBITEL Institute Nebula of Technology, the education arm of SLTMOBITEL, has achieved a significant milestone by being recognized as the tenth IET on Campus Chapter.
People's Bank Relaunches Multiple Enhanced Services for Migrant Workers
People's Bank Celebrated World Children's Day by relaunching 'Ethera Udana Minors' Foreign Currency Account with new features.
EU Delegation Commits to Strengthen Sri Lanka-EU Relations, Extends Presidential Greetings from Key European Leaders
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the European Union (EU) Delegation, led by EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno.
ADB Delegation Meets President Dissanayake, Pledges Continued Support for Sri Lanka's Economic Development
The Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Resident Mission in Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, along with a delegation, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Sri Lanka Secures USD 200 Million from World Bank's IDA for Second Phase of RESET Program
The International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group (WBG) has approved a USD 200 million financing package to support the second phase of Sri Lanka’s Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Financing (DPF) program.
