Sri Lanka, Palestine to increase business relations

Sri Lanka has extended an invitation to Palestinian businesses to explore the investment opportunities present in the country following the end of the war four years ago, a statement from the President's Office said here on Wednesday. Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on a two-day visit to Palestine, extended an invitation to members of the Palestinian business community to visit Sri Lanka when he met with them. The Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Rami Hamdallah, who hosted a lunch in honor of the president immediately, afterwards, spoke about the potential for Sri Lanka and Palestine to further strengthen economic relations. Hoping that President Rajapaksa's visit will prompt for more cooperation, Dr. Hamdallah said he hopes the visit "can activate commercial relations." Sri Lanka's Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris speaking at the forum encouraged the Palestinian business community to visit Sri Lanka and explore the potential investment opportunities available in the country, especially in the areas of service and IT industries. The Coordinating Secretary of the Palestinian Private Sector Establishments Mohamad Masooji, said that he hopes meetings such as the one today with President Rajapaksa will help Sri Lanka and Palestine move towards establishing a joint business council. Others present included Palestine's Minister of National Economy Jawad Naji, Palestinian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dr. Anwar Al-Agha and leading members of the Palestinian business community.