Sri Lankan Minister says Sri Lanka and Vietnam are engaged in further strengthening bilateral relationship
A Minister of the Sri Lankan government has reportedly said that Sri Lanka is strengthening relations with Vietnam and the Association of South East Asian Nations with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a World Economic Forum regional meeting in Ha Noi next week.
The successful completion of bilateral political consultations in February 2018 acted as a catalyst for future enhancement of relations Plantations Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake has reportedly said addressing diplomats in Colombo at an event to mark the National Day of Vietnam, which fell on September 2nd.
“The bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam are multifaceted and encompass the economy, agriculture, fisheries and education,” Dissanayake has said.
Vietnam’s Ambassador to Colombo Pham Thi Bich Ngoc has said there was an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level and co-operate in regional and international platforms for peace and stability.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had accepted an invitation from Vietnam to address the World Economic Forum – ASEAN which will be held in Ha Noi from 11 to 13 September 2018, the second time in as many months that he is participating in a forum in the country.
“It will be an opportunity to discuss innovative and creative ideas and strengthen regional economic relations with ASEAN,” Dissanayake has been quoted as saying in the media.
“Vietnam today is a highly open and diverse economy,” Ambassador Ngoc has said. “Our Gross Domestic Product growth has been sustained at a high rate. The living standards of the people have been significantly improved.”
Vietnam’s economy has 7.08 percent in the first six months of the year, data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam reported. In 2017 the economy grew 6.8 percent.
Vietnam is a chosen destination for foreign investment (FDI) and tourism with Sri Lankan visitors also increasing to the country Ambassador Ngoc has noted.
Dissanayake has then observed that Sri Lanka had a stable investment environment and Vietnamese firms could look at sectors like tourism.
OSL take:
The further strengthening of ties between Sri Lanka and Vietnam could help boost bilateral trade as well. The historical link between the two countries could be used by foreign businesses interested in venturing into Asian economies. Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean region and the country’s trade ties with other countries could be used as a platform by foreign countries to use as their base when venturing into other Asian markets.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/04092018/Z_3 |