President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday invited Tajikistan entrepreneurs and the public sector to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka has increased trade ties with the world and work for economic development,” he said during bilateral discussions with President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon.
Rahmon is on a state visit to Sri Lanka.
President Sirisena received his Tajikistan counterpart at the Presidential Secretariat where a guard of honour was held for the visiting dignitary.
President Sirisena emphasised the need to strengthen trade cooperation while mitigating drug trafficking.
He said although Sri Lanka and Tajikistan have many similarities, trade between the two countries have not grown satisfactorily.
While welcoming the signing of four bilateral agreements, the President said he looks forward to more cooperation between the two countries, especially in national security, tourism, hydro power, trade and added that measures should also be taken to stop drugs trafficking.
President Rahmon highlighted the need to explore possibilities in technology exchange in youth development, tourism, gem industry and the apparel industry.
Tajikistan is keen on learning from Sri Lanka in those areas, he said.
President Rahmon invited President Maithripala Sirisena to visit Tajikistan.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said cultural and youth exchange programmes can be arranged, while exchanging of technology and know-how in many areas are possible, as Sri Lanka works towards becoming an economic hub in the Indian Ocean.
Four bilateral agreements were entered in the presence of the two Presidents.
A Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation between the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka and the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Tajikistan was signed by Acting Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva and Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Aslov Sirodjin.
The MoU on cooperation in the field of tourism was signed by Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga and Chairman of the Committee for Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tajikistan Abdullozoda Ahtam.
A MoU in the field of physical training and sports was signed by Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera and Chairman of the Committee for Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tajikistan Abdullozoda Ahtam.
The fourth MoU was signed between the Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry of Sri Lanka and the Economic Affairs Ministry of Tajikistan on Mutual Cooperation. It was signed by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama and Economic Affairs Minister of Tajikistan Hikmatullozoda Nematullo.
After signing the bilateral agreements, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon signed the Guest book at the Presidential Secretariat to mark his state visit.
Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers John Amaratunga, Malika Samarawickrama, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Acting Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva, President’s Secretary P.B. Abeykoon and Foreign Secretary Esala Weerakoon also took part in the bilateral discussions.