LOC11:33
08:33 GMT
By Nawab Khan
BRUSSELS, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- Sri Lanka's Minister of Industry and Commerce
Rishad Bathiudeen is urging businessmen in the Gulf countries to increase
investments in his country, particularly in tourism.
"The Gulf countries and Sri Lanka have cordial relations," he said in a
statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) in Brussels.
Bathiudden is leading a business delegation, currently on an European tour
including Belgium, France and the Netherlands to expand commercial and
economic cooperation with Europe.
He said Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the president of a
Palestinian-Sri Lankan friendly organisation, 30 years ago, and supporter of
the Palestine question.
"After he became the President of Sri Lanka he began to develop closer ties
with the Gulf countries. The Muslim world is helping Sri Lanka after Rajapaksa
has become the President," said the minister.
There are some activities by Gulf countries in Sri Lanka in building the
infrastructure. Development funds of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are involved in
health sector projects in the country.
But he said that exports from Sri Lanka to the Gulf countries were very low
and expressed hope that they would be increased.
He called on the investors in the Gulf to invest in the tourism sector in
Sri Lanka.
"We are expecting more tourists from the Gulf countries," he told KUNA
noting that hotels, serving "halal food," are available in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, addressing a meeting with Belgian businessmen on Thursday in
Brussels, Bathiudeen said the tourism sector started booming in Sri Lanka with
the end of the conflict in June 2009.
Up to end of September 2011, tourists' numbers increased by 35%, recording
the highest number closer to 700,000, he noted.
To show case Sri Lanka's capabilities, Bethiudeen said his ministry has
organized an international trade fair "EXPO 2012," scheduled to be held in
March in Colombo. (end)
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KUNA 181133 Nov 11NNNN