‘Sri Lanka has increased potential to trade with the world and work for economic development’ said the President yesterday (13th Dec.), during the bilateral discussions with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, who is on a state visit to Sri Lanka. President Maithripala Sirisena received his Tajikistani counterpart at the Presidential Secretariat, where a guard of honour was followed by bilateral discussions.
President Sirisena while welcoming the Tajikistani President and the official delegation emphasized the need to increased cooperation in trade, regional security and drug trafficking. He pointed out although both countries have shared interests and many commonalities, trade between the two countries have not grown at a considerable level. As such, President invited Tajikistani entrepreneurs and public sector to explore the potential to investment in Sri Lanka. President welcomed the signing of four bilateral agreements and said he is looking forward for further cooperation between the two countries, especially in national security, drug control, tourism, hydro power, and trade.
President Rahmon highlighted the need to explore more possibilities in technology exchange in youth development, tourism, gem industry, and apparel industry. “Tajikistan is keen to learn from Sri Lanka in those areas”, he mentioned. President Rahmon reciprocated and invited President Maithripala Sirisena for a State Visit of Tajikistan.
Prime Minister RanilWicremesinghe elaborated that cultural and youth exchange programs can be arranged, while exchange of technology and know-how in many areas are possible, as Sri Lanka works towards becoming an economic hub in the Indian Ocean.
After the bilateral talks, in the presence of the both leaders, they entered into four bilateral agreements.
1. Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan – signed by Harsha de Silva, acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and Aslov Sirodjin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.
2. Agreement between government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Tajikistan on Corporation in the field of Tourism. – signed by John Amaratunga, Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs of Sri Lanka and Abdullozoda Ahtam, Chairman of the Committee for Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tajikistan.
3. Agreement between government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Tajikistan on Corporation in the field of Physical training and Sports – signed by Dayasiri Jayasekera, Minister of Sports and Abdullozoda Ahtam, Chairman of the Committee for Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tajikistan.
4. Aide Mémoire on the draft Agreement between the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Tajikistan on Mutual Corporation – signed by Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade of Sri Lanka and Hikmatullozoda Nematullo, Minister of Economic Affairs of Tajikistan.
After that the Tajikistan President also signed the Guest book at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister, Ranil Wicremasinghe, Ministers John Amaratunga, Malik Samarawickrama, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Acting Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva, Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon, and Foreign Secretary Esala Weerakoon represented the Sri Lankan side at the bilateral discussions.