Fiji, Sri Lanka looking to strengthen bilateral relations

Saturday, 24 January 2015 03:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Fiji’s Attorney-General and Minister of Finance, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has invited Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera this week to visit the country and strengthen bilateral relations. He met with Samaraweera to discuss issues that would lead to improved bilateral relations between the two countries. Sayed-Khaiyum said that the two ministers had “very good” discussions on strengthening Fiji-Sri Lanka bilateral relations not just between the two countries but also Government to business and business to business relationships.

“Enhancing trade and investment between the two countries was one of the key issues discussed and in that regard a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement has been proposed. A draft agreement will be sent to Sri Lanka to initiate the discussions,” the Fijian minister said. “The South-East Asian region is experiencing economic growth and high commercial activity and with increased India-Fiji activity, we need to capitalise on the opportunities that exist in the countries within the vicinity.” Sri Lanka with its new Government can be a country to target for expansion of trade, investment and tourism, Minister Sayed-Khaiyum said.