Sri Lanka, Norway vow to boost cooperation

Sri Lanka and Norway will take effective steps to increase cooperation in fisheries, information technology, energy, hydro and solar power, and oil and gas exploration, the Sri Lankan President's office said on Friday.

The issue was discussed during meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg at the Presidential Secretariat.

Solberg expressed her appreciation over the steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to strengthen democracy, reconciliation and development.

President Sirisena said Sri Lanka would appreciate technical expertise from Norway to develop the fisheries industry in Sri Lanka as there are immense possibilities for growth in both sea fishing and inland fisheries.

He said that Sri Lanka sought foreign investments in export-oriented industries such as garments, gem and jewellery, ceramic, plants, timber and medicine.

He said Fisheries Minister Minister Mahinda Amaraweera would visit Norway next week to discuss ways and means of expanding cooperation in the fisheries sector.

Solberg said her government will take steps to bring together potential Norwegian investors and Sri Lankan partners, adding that as Sri Lanka has reached the status of a Middle-Income Country, the focus would be to assist development and increase cooperation in trade, industry and business.

Solberg, during her two-day visit to Sri Lanka, also had talks with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sorce : XINHUA