Bahrain's Prime Minister to tour Sri Lanka

Bahrain's Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa begins a visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, at the invitation of theGgovernment. He will meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.

The visit will help boost political and economic relations, with a number of bilateral agreements to be signed, including a memorandum of understanding between the foreign ministries of the two countries, an economic, commercial and technical co-operation between chambers of commerce and discussions about the formation of a joint businessmen's council The visit reflects the Premier's keenness to boost ties of friendship between Bahrain and the rest of the world, to attract capital and investments, and to expand trade.

It is also hoped to bolster relations, and reflects Bahrain's positive policies in the international economic arena, particularly extending co-operation with Asian countries, following the meeting between GCC and Asean.Bahrain believes in co-operation with countries that have implemented development policies and economic reforms.