MARSHAD BARRY
DOHA — The Qatar-Sri Lanka Business Council was launched in Doha in the presence of Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen.
Addressing the gathering Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar Mohideen mentioned : “The establishment of this Business Council is not merely symbolic but holds immense practical value. It serves as a dedicated platform to strengthen economic ties, facilitate business interactions, and explore new avenues for growth and cooperation between our two nations,” also he added “Qatar and Sri Lanka share a rich history of trade and cultural exchange, and now, through this Council, we have the opportunity to elevate our commercial relationship to new heights. The council will undoubtedly create a conducive environment for enhancing trade volumes, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and exploring emerging sectors of mutual interest by fostering direct engagement between businesses, promoting investments, and facilitating knowledge exchange,” he added.
Diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Sri Lanka began officially at the Ambassadorial level in 1976. Since then, the bilateral relations between the two countries witnessed great progress and development in various fields.
Launching of Qatar Sri Lanka Business council is an excellent initiative and remarkable milestone to foster closer relationship between business communities in Qatar and Sri Lanka as well as to promote and develop mutual investments and bilateral trade opportunities of both countries and also to facilitate enhancing economic ties.
President of the Qatar Sri Lanka Business Council, John Prasad stated that the main objective of the council is to promote bilateral trade, share investment opportunities, foster business collaboration, enhance networking and support SMEs .Also he mentioned that council will work to create a balanced trade relationship by enhancing and diversifying trade between Qatar and Sri Lanka; encourage Qatari investments in key sectors in Sri Lanka such as tourism, real estate, manufacturing, products and services; share business opportunities with the Sri Lankan business community to collaborate and explore the Qatari market through building a strong business network and relationship between the business communities of Qatar and Sri Lanka.
Qatar Sri Lanka Business Council is affiliated with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Doha and all office bearers are Sri Lankan professionals currently working in Qatar’s different sectors. At this important occasion council launched a website detailing its objectives as well as different trade and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. The council’s debut office bearers include A. Yoonus as vice-president, Waruna Gunasekara as secretary, Adil Nastar as treasurer and Shreen Abeysekera, Intiqab Rawoof, Tara Dias, Neomal de Silva, Chanka Dissanayake and Saad Imthiyaz as members present at the launch.
