Sri Lanka US discuss matters of mutual interest and further strengthening ties
The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz has recently called on the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka, Prof. G.L. Peiris. The discussion was reportedly focused on matters of mutual interest and further strengthening ties between the two countries.
The Foreign Minister has thanked the US for the assistance extended to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and to mitigate the environmental and socioeconomic impact of the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. The Minister has also sought further cooperation.
Prof. Peiris has further welcomed the recent tripartite Letter of Cooperation between Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB), the USAID and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) under the PARTNER programme to offer training for Development Officers of the EDB.
The Minister has also welcomed private sector investments from the US in Sri Lanka.
Among other bilateral matters discussed at the meeting had included the convening of the US-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue, the Joint Commission of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and US- Sri Lanka Sectoral Dialogues.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka and the US enjoy strong bilateral and trade ties. The US continues to be a close development partner of Sri Lanka and has also extended the US GSP trade concessions to the island. The US GSP facility has helped boost Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and exports sectors. With Sri Lanka’s ongoing development programme and the positioning as an emerging business destination in the South Asian region, US businesses/investors could explore the growing opportunities in the island. US businesses could also look at setting up base in Sri Lanka or form joint venture/partnerships with local businesses to engage with other countries in the region using the preferential facilities enjoyed by the South Asian island.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/30082021/Z_3 |