Courtesy Call by Mr. Serik Ahmetov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
20th November 2012
Hon Prime Minister, congratulations on your appointment this year as Prime Minister. I look forward to close engagement with you and in this context, your participation at the Business Forum is appreciated. There is much potential to expand our countries’ bilateral economic ties, which I believe the Business Forum will facilitate and be a fitting beginning to this end. Since the end of this conflict, Sri Lanka has recorded impressive economic development. Whilst my Government has focused on the development of infrastructure and improvement of the livelihoods particularly of the conflict affected people, the stable and peaceful environment in all parts of the country has resulted in the flow of more foreign direct investment, increased trade and a significant growth in the tourism industry.
In the last few years, we have sustained 7% – 8% annual growth rate and the economy of the former theatre of conflict, particularly the Northern Province grew last year by 22%. As you have been yourself the Director General of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, you will be pleased to learn that the Colombo Stock Exchange has in the last few years been one of the best performing stock markets. Investors are looking very favourably at our capital market and there has been an unprecedented overseas investment in government securities which I believe is a very significant indicator of the confidence reposed in our economic performance.
Prime Minister, you and I will jointly chair the Business Forum. I have brought with me a very high level delegation from our business community and most of them have a very strong interest in looking for opportunities to enter into joint ventures and seeking prospects for export to your market. The balance of trade is currently in Sri Lanka’s favour and I am positive that your business community will also want to explore opportunities for investment in and export to my country. I have learnt that you have a very large cotton industry. As a leading exporter of ready-made garments, we are very interested in possible joint ventures for the production of export quality textiles. Also both our countries have a well developed tourism industry and I believe there is much scope for collaboration in this area, particularly for tourism infrastructure development. Sri Lanka has highly skilled hoteliers for whom there may be employment opportunities in your hotel industry. With the commencement of direct charter flights between Colombo and Almaty, we expect increasing tourist arrivals from your country to Sri Lanka. I have no doubt that my country has a very rich and new experience to offer Kazakhstan tourists. It is my sincere hope that investors from your country will also look at the prospects for investment in our tourism and leisure sector. Prime Minister, I believe there is considerable scope for cooperation in the areas of power and energy and I look forward to your response in this regard. I am confident that you will support our endeavours to strengthen and further enhance our bilateral ties and encourage people-to-people contacts as a means of building long lasting friendship between our two countries. I hope that you will consider visiting Sri Lanka with a view to further cementing the ties between our two countries.
President courtesy call by Mr. K.A. Mami, Chairman of the Senate, Upper House of the Kazakhstan Parliament.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet with you. Having spent over 40 years of my life as a Member of Parliament, I attach importance to the role of Parliament in strengthening democracy and giving voice to the expectations and aspirations of the people. I am very keen that Parliamentary Friendship Associations be established in our two Parliaments and exchange visits by Parliamentary delegations, facilitation of which may be considered. I seek your assistance to facilitate these visits. As you are aware, the legislature of Sri Lanka has a history of over 60 years and we would be extremely happy to cooperate with your Parliament sharing of information on Parliamentary procedures. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and visit the Senate.
Participants:
Hon. Prof. G.L.Peris – Minister of External Affairs, Hon. Shasheendra Rajapaksa – Chief Minister of Uva Province, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga – Secretary to President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga – Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Kshenuka Seneviratne – Addl. Secretary, MEA, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission, Mr. Janaka Rathnayake, Chairman, Export Development Board, Mr. Bashwara Senanka Gunarathna, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism, Mr. Majintha Jayasinghe – Chief of Protocol, Mr. A.S. Khan – Director General, MEA, Ms Dayani Mendis – Director-Europe, MEA
