Lankan Ambassador pays farewell call on Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister of Bahrain

Bahrain Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani, discussing and broaching issues of significance, interest and importance with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis at the Ministry in Manama, Bahrain 

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, paid a farewell call on the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani, in order to discuss and to follow up the most efficacious and result-oriented courses of action to enhance and to boost economic, commercial, touristic and industrial relations between the two countries since Dr. Mendis would be transferred to the Republic of Korea as the new Envoy of Sri Lanka. 

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, particularly, in Gulf countries including in the Kingdom of Bahrain, is considered as an exceedingly pivotal and seminal ministry since it plays a critical role in economic and commercial advancement of the country. Dr. Mendis added that the country is politically and economically stable, thus creating an idealistic and sanguine milieu and landscape for promotion of economic, investment, commercial and touristic utility in Sri Lanka. 

In this context, Ambassador Dr. Mendis stated that tourism in Sri Lanka would reach 2.5 million, despite the unfortunate incident that occurred in April of this year, given the vast touristic attractions as well as peace and stability in the country. He also substantiated that Sri Lanka has, yet again, been listed as one of the most sought-after touristic destinations in the world by highly noted and globally reputed magazines, journals and electronic media including ‘Lonely Planet’. Both the Minister and Ambassador noted that many tourists, both nationals of Bahrain and expatriates in Bahrain, visit Sri Lanka for vacations. SriLankan Airlines operates direct flights on a daily basis and Gulf Air operates direct flights five times a week between Bahrain and Colombo, thus extending easy connectivity.

Ambassador Dr. Mendis highlighted the fact to Minister Alzayani that the two countries are yet to exploit and are yet to take the strategic vantage of the vast economic, commercial, touristic, investment, outsourcing and industrial opportunities and vistas including but not limited to natural endowments and human resources. Both the Minister and Ambassador agreed that the bilateral trade and commercial activity are still in the vicinity of $ 30 million and foreign direct investments and foreign institutional investments are minimal from Kingdom of Bahrain to Sri Lanka and vice-a-versa. Both the Minster and Ambassador were convinced of the utility and of the potentiality to enhance and to augment the commercial and economic relations with greater and more result-oriented cooperation, collaboration, engagement, facilitation and partnership, which would benefit both the countries. 

Ambassador Dr. Mendis also voiced that Sri Lanka is well and is strategically located for Business Processing and Outsourcing (BPO), Knowledge Processing and Outsourcing (KPO), Engineering Processing and Outsourcing (EPO) and Financial Processing and Outsourcing (FPO) sphere in order for corporates, companies and industries of the Kingdom of Bahrain to have facilities in Sri Lanka. The Ambassador stated that this course of action would enable the corporates, industries and companies of Bahrain to have direct and easy access to the large market of Indian sub-continent, which today accounts of a population of well over 1.8 billion. On the same note, the corporates and industries of Bahrain could reduce their cost of production, markedly, by outsourcing the facilities to Sri Lanka.

Minister Alzayani added that his country too is eager and is keen to proactively engage with Sri Lanka on her economic, investment and commercial trajectory, thus benefiting both the peoples and both the countries. Minister Alzayani, being a leading corporate captain of a number of companies turned Senior Cabinet Minister of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, added that the two countries have maintained most genial, affable and friendly relations not for decades but for centuries, which would enable the corporate captains, industrialists and investors of the two countries to frankly exchange ideas and propositions and seriously consider committing investments, facilities and projects in both the countries. 

Ambassador Mendis emphasised the fact that the current Government tenaciously and aggressively focuses on enhancement and expansion of economic and commercial diplomacy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, particularly, has a separate and distinct division to promote economic diplomacy. 

The Minister and the Ambassador were of firm conviction that widening, deepening, strengthening and elevating economic, industrial, touristic and commercial bilateral relations, in all spheres and provinces, between the two countries would benefit both the peoples and both the countries. Ambassador Mendis expressed, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Minister and to his vast Ministry for extending cooperation and assistance, particularly, in the context of economic and commercial activity, tourism and employment to Sri Lankan nationals, amongst others.