Speaker of Iranian Parliament calls for increased bilateral and trade ties between Iran and Sri Lanka
Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani has told the media last week that Iran and Sri Lanka should increase their trade interactions and develop political and trade ties.
Larijani was engaged in an official tour of Sri Lanka last week.
“Iran has always have had good relations with Sri Lank in areas of trade and politics, although with tides and ebbs but it has always been in place,” Larijani has been quoted as telling the media during his Sri Lankan visit.
The Iranian media has reported that Larijani, along with a 36-strong delegation, arrived in Colombo on Wednesday (18) and was officially welcomed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by Sri Lankan State Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation A.H.M. Fowzie and Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mohammed Zaeri Amirani.
The visit is in response to an invitation extended by Sri Lankan house Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.
“Heightening the trade transactions between Iran and Sri Lanka is one of the issues with high priority and it should be considered that now is the best time to expand cooperation between the two countries,” Larijani has said.
The top Iranian parliamentarian and his accompanying delegation met with government officials including Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Speaker of the House during the two-day visit to Sri Lanka.
OSL take:
The call to boost trade ties between Iran and Sri Lanka is a welcome sign for businesses in both countries to engage with other more vigorously. Sri Lanka and Iran have so far held a successful tea for oil agreement that has lasted several years. However, Iranian businesses/investors could explore the investment opportunities abundant in Sri Lanka as well as use the benefits of the island nation due to its geographical location along with its trade treaties with other countries to do business.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/26042018/Z_4 |