Maldives wants Lankan investors in development projects
The Maldivian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Zahiya Zareer invited
Sri Lankan firms to invest in development projects in the Maldives.
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The Maldivian High Commissioner signs the visitors book at
the Ceylon
Chamber of Commerce. |
"We are opening big projects for international bidding, such as
airport development, housing, hospitals and renewable power projects,"
she said during a meeting with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce early last
week.
"Even now there are big Sri Lankan companies operating in the
Maldives and we would like other companies to bid for various projects,"
she said.
Zareer said Sri Lanka and the Maldives should try to build more
commercial ties, moving away from the traditionally traded goods between
the two nations, such as fruits, vegetables and fisheries.
CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Dhara Wijayatilake said, "We
can look at potential synergies existing between the two nations to
explore more opportunities."
Education and health services were discussed as potential areas that
could be further developed.
During discussions, it came to light that over 5,000 Sri Lankans are
working in the Maldives, mainly in the tourism sector, while over 10,000
Maldivian nationals are living in Sri Lanka for various purposes such as
education. Senior Assistant Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber,
Lilakshini de Mel, Counselor Mohamed A. Waheed and Second Secretary of
the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka Ali Nasih were also present.
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