Sri Lanka has made a request to the Maldives government to consider the possibility of using the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) and Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) for cross-border transactions, disclosed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.
“This is for the benefit of Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Maldives.” Herath made this request to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Khaleel, during a bilateral meeting.
“We noted that Sri Lankan companies have extensively invested in Maldives in multiple sectors such as tourism and hotel industry, banking and construction benefitting and these benefit both countries.”
With a view to strengthening investment partnerships through joint ventures, Minister Herath also invited Maldives entrepreneurs in diverse sectors to invest in Sri Lanka.
“We also noted the valuable contributions made by Sri Lankans in Maldives with their expertise including in the education, banking and healthcare sectors”
Tourism is a key economic driver for both Sri Lanka and the Maldives and both countries should jointly promote mutual cooperation to attract more tourists to their two nations. Herath said that Sri Lanka is targeting 3 million tourist arrivals this year. “We agreed to build partnerships through investments in the tourism and leisure sector and strengthening cooperation in mutually beneficial areas.”
The Foreign Minister also recalled that Sri Lanka plays a significant role in providing skilled professionals and tourism services to Maldives. Sri Lanka has also played a key role in supporting Maldivian students and professionals.
“We also discussed the need to collaborate in the fisheries sector and shared views on the provision of transit passage for Sri Lankan fishing vessels for smooth access to the Arabian Sea and further means of cooperation. The duo also extensively discussed deepening cooperation in the aviation sector especially on enhancing air connectivity.
“Sri Lanka and Maldives are deeply committed towards environmental protection, ocean health and climate change and both nations have agreed to jointly collaborate on regional trade initiatives, climate change adaptation and blue economy strategies.”
The two ministers widely discussed collective mechanisms to promote sustainable development. “We discussed strengthening cooperation in the renewable energy sector to benefit both economies in the long run. “I also proposed prospective areas of mutual cooperation in the education sector and on means of further cooperation in youth empowerment and sports sector including entrepreneurship development for youth.”
“Both our countries have consistently exchanged support at various international organizations and we committed to continue our cooperation with each other.” Both Ministers expressed hope that this bilateral discussion would be the guidance for the two sides to commence action-oriented work and build on to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations.
