Dutch assistance to boost SL economy

Thursday, 17 July 2014 01:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Netherlands plans to provide Sri Lanka with technical and specialist knowledge, said Netherlands Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Simon Smits, when he met Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry office on 15 July. At the meeting a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on assisting Sri Lanka in the construction of 467 rural bridges under the program to build 1,210 rural bridges islandwide to strengthen the rural economy by reducing the gap between the village and town.

Vice Minister Smits is currently on a four-day visit here. He is accompanied by a business delegation comprising representatives of leading Dutch companies. Minister Basil Rajapaksa also discussed with him the establishment of a centre for growing ornamental flower tissue, developing livestock resources, expanding the dairy industry with high milk yielding breeds of cows and strengthening environmental conservation. The discussions also focused on improving trade and economic ties and investments. The Dutch Government is already providing this country with infrastructure facilities to improve people’s livelihood. Other participants in the discussions included the Netherlands Ambassador in Sri Lanka Louis W.M. Piet, Senior Policy Officer of Netherlands Foreign Ministry Nicolette Koopman, Netherlands Embassy Senior Policy Advisor (Political) Mahendra Ratnaweera and Economic Development Ministry Secretary Nihal Jayatilaka.