Bangladesh eyes Sri Lankan investment in tourism
The Business Post: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought Sri Lankan investment in Bangladesh’s tourism sector for the mutual benefit of both countries.
She made the request during a courtesy meeting with President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi recently. Both the leaders attended the oath taking of India’s newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
“A discussion was held on how Sri Lankan investment can come to Bangladesh in its tourism sector as Sri Lanka is much ahead in the tourism sector,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after the meeting.
The two leaders also held a detailed discussion on mutual cooperation in agriculture and maritime sectors, he said.
“The meeting was just a courtesy call. But the entire gamut of bilateral relations was discussed elaborately,” Hasan said.
The Sri Lankan President thanked Bangladesh premier for helping his country financially in their critical time.
Hasina invited Wickremesinghe to visit Bangladesh.
The Sri Lankan President said he has a desire to visit Bangladesh, but his country is going to the election.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and PM’s Press Secretary M. Nayeemul Islam Khan were present during the briefing.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s growth in the tourism industry has resulted in countries in the South Asian region also turning to Sri Lanka’s support to boost tourism. It is in such a backdrop that Bangladesh had sought Sri Lankan investments and assistance to boost Bangladesh’s tourism industry. Such a relationship between the two countries could also help Sri Lanka’s tourism industry as well. All these are indicative of the growth and business potential in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which is on a steady growth path given the growing number of tourist arrivals to the country, thar has made the industry a lucrative business venture. The industry has also become a key revenue generator of the country with all signs indicating a two fold increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from this year onwards. The growth and expansion undertaken by local leisure and hospitality businesses has resulted in these businesses entering countries like Maldives in the region. These businesses are now expected to enter Bangladesh as well. Sri Lanka therefore presents the ideal location for foreign businesses/investors in the tourism industry, especially in the leisure and hospitality sectors, to set up base to enter into other countries in the region.