(WAM) / 22 October 2012
DUBAI - Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, today met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of External AffairsGamini Lakshman Peiris on the sidelines of the ‘World Energy Forum 2012’ which kicked off today in Dubai.
The meeting discussed ways to strengthen the economic
and investment partnership between the UAE and Sri Lanka and to boost the UAE’s
investments in the island state.
The two sides also discussed ways to promote the
strong bilateral cooperation and build on the economic and trade agreements
signed between them.
Sheikha Lubna briefed the Sri Lankan Minister on the
economic developments in the UAE over the past few years and the advanced trade
standing achieved by the country as well as its higher rankings in
international doing business confidence indexes, as well as its transformation
into one of the world’s most important re-export hubs.
For his part, the Sri Lankan minister expressed his
country’s appreciation of the economic and trade partnership with the UAE. He
applauded the UAE’s advanced standing in international trade and investment. He
also commended the positive role played the UAE’s investments play in Sri Lanka
which enjoys a wealth of natural resources and vibrant tourism and agriculture.
Peiris added that his country was following the
advancements achieved in the UAE’s energy sector and its pursuit of clean and
renewable energy, subsequently becoming the home of the International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA).
During the first 6 months of 2012, trade between the
UAE and Sri Lanka reached USD 191 million, USD 69 of which were exports and USD
41 million were re-exports.
