Basil promotes SL tourism and trade in Korea

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, who is on a four-day official visit to the Republic of Korea, on Thursday called on the Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the President of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

At the meeting, the Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism agreed with Rajapaksa about the available prospects in promoting Sri Lanka as a key tourist destination among Koreans and assured to work hand in hand with the Government of Sri Lanka to promote bilateral tourism and cultural relations.  

The Korean Minister further agreed to recommend establishing direct air links between Colombo and Seoul to the Korean Ministry of Transport, since this is one of the main hindrances at present in promoting bilateral tourism. The invitation extended by Rajapaksa to the Korean Minister to visit Sri Lanka was accepted by him. The Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade agreed to extend all possible assistance in facilitating Korea’s Overseas Development cooperation towards Sri Lanka.

The President of KOICA agreed to consider funding many development projects that are being proposed by Sri Lanka. The President further informed that they were ready to send a team of experts from Korea to Sri Lanka on 24 October 2010 in order to commence the feasibility study on Mannar and Milady fishery harbours in Northern Province.