Basil strengthens SL-Czech ties during Prague visit

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa met with Czech Industry and Trade Minister Martin Kuba, during the former’s visit last week to the Czech Republic, where he attended the opening of the first Sri Lanka-Czech Economic Forum organised by the Confederation of Industry of the CR.

Minister Rajapaksa also met Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas at his office where Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Dub was also present.

Minister Rajapaksa and Minister Kuba addressed the Economic Forum and discussed prospects for enhanced trade and economic cooperation as well as opportunities for joint collaboration in the important sectors of economy of the two countries.

The vast potential that exists for investment in Sri Lanka for the Czech Republic in several areas such as infrastructure, energy, water and environment protection, food processing, sugar industry, leisure, recreation and hospitality, higher education, as well as in the vital sector of the small and medium enterprises was highlighted at the discussion.

Minister Rajapaksa observed the increased potential for Czech tourists to visit Sri Lanka following the expansion of the island’s tourism sector. Both Ministers expressed their intention to conclude an agreement on mutual cooperation between their ministries for creating favourable conditions to further develop trade and economic cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The Czech side handed over a draft of an agreement to the Sir Lankan delegation side on this matter.  Minister Kuba hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Sri Lankan Minister and his team following the bilateral meeting.

Minister Rajapaksa also met the Czech Republic’s Environment Minister Tomas Chalupa. Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayanth was also present at this meeting.  The Ministers discussed issues relating to promotion of sustainable energy and protection of the environment and means of cooperating actively in this important arena of global concern in the relevant international fora.  The two delegations discussed the possibilities of further strengthening cooperation in the areas of renewable energy and waste management.  Minister Premajayanth visited a waste recycling plant in Prague during the visit.

Minister Rajapaksa also met Czech Republic’s Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Tomas Dub and discussed ways for enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and tourism.

Visiting the Czech Parliament, Minister Rajapaksa met with Vice President Jan Hamacek and Senate President Milan Štech. Their discussion centred on enhancing contacts between the legislative bodies of the two countries. They also emphasised the need to increase people-to-people contact, among several other matters of bilateral importance.

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Vienna supported by Sri Lanka Tourism organised a Culinary and Cultural Festival from 21-28 March 2013 in Prague. This was followed by business-to-business meetings between the 40-member Sri Lankan delegation representing trade, investment and travel sectors and potential investors and businesspersons from the Czech Republic.

A series of Sri Lankan music and dance performances, including a joint cultural show with Czech music groups, took place at the Municipal House on 29 March and at the Prague Zoo on 30 March respectively. These initiatives were much appreciated as a gesture unparalleled in the bilateral relations between the two countries in recent times.

Minister Rajapaksa participated in the ceremonial opening of the Sri Lanka Elephant Pavilion at the Prague Zoo and opened the special section with Sri Lankan stalls displaying a variety of items from tea, jewellery, ornamental fish, Ayurvedic care products, and handicrafts of Sri Lanka at the Educational Centre of the Prague Zoo. 

The Minister hosted a reception at the Sri Lanka Food Festival at the Hilton Prague Old Town, at which Senators and Members of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Ambassadors based in Prague, representatives of business chambers and the media participated.

During the meetings the Sri Lankan delegation had with the Czech side, the importance of facilitating collaboration between companies in the field of Ayurvedic matters including through investment from Sri Lankan companies in Ayurvedic spas in the Czech Republic, was underscored.

Both sides agreed that there should be increased exchanges between the two countries at all levels in the future, contributing towards consolidating the outcome of this visit into long-term practical programmes and projects, that are mutually-beneficial to both countries. It was reiterated that time was of the essence in this regard.