Qatari Government to invest Sri Lanka’s Kalpitiya tourist village Project/Sri Lanka Stock Market -

Dec 13, 2011 (LBT) -Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani said that Qatar is very keen to develop and strengthen the Economic Ties with Sri Lanka capitalizing on the already existing strong Political relation.

The prime minister of Qatar made these remarks participating at a press briefing held in Colombo today, completing his two days official visit.

Expressing his views at the occasion senior minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama said, assistance of Qatar will be obtained to develop Kalpitiya as a tourist village.

“Qatar delegation showed a solid interest in investing in the Kalpitiya Tourism Zone, Colombo, Negombo and Hambantota for Tourism Related Projects.”

Accordingly, five islands will be provided for Qatar for their investments. Colombo Katunayake high way will be extended to Kalpitiya in par with that.

During the discussions Qatar also stated its willingness to invest in a Toll Road that would Link Katunayake with Kalpitiya.

Inland Fisheries and Cut Flower sectors were also highlighted for potential investment by the Qatari delegation.

The senior minister added that the bilateral discussions were also focused on building a luxury hotel complex.

In the Colombo city Qatar delegation shown a keen interest in undertaking a mega infrastructure project encompassing a shopping mall, residential complex, hotel, car park.

Apart from Tourism Prime Minster also highlighted the Qatari intention in investing in the Colombo Stock Exchange and supporting the upgrading of the Colombo Stock Exchange where Sri Lanka side agreed to study the proposal made by the Minster of Finance in Qatar.

During the discussions with the Sri Lankan minister Basil Rajapaksa, the Prime Minister stated that large number of Sri Lankan professionals in the field of Education, Nursing Accountancy and Engineering are presently working in Qatar in a contented environment.

During the meeting minister Basil Rajapaksa also stated that with the dawn of peace there are three things the country needs most - investment, trade and tourism.

He further said that the country that Marco Polo once described as the best Island of its size is once again open for Business and for leisure and Invited more and more Qatar Tourist to Sri Lanka and Qatar enterprises to Invest in Sri Lanka .

Describing Sri Lanka’s potential in Tourism and Investment he further said that Sri Lanka is in the ideal location in the world map and the best destination and also at the best time of its post independence era for Investment.

Minister Rajapaksa called on the Qatari Government to particularly look into investing in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka which is experiencing an unprecedented boom.

He also stated that there is a concerted drive to increase tourism infrastructure in the country that includes five star hotels, resorts and facilities for leisure activities specifically targeting Middle Eastern tourists.

In this regard Minister Rajapaksa said Qatari investors could favourably look at Sri Lanka as a highly completive stable country for their investments.

Prime Minister Hamad Bin Jassim Al-Thani informed that the Qatari Government and the private sector would be much interested in being a part of Sri Lanka’s rapid economic progress.

Elaborating further on the emphasis given to develop Sri Lanka as a key Tourist Destination ,Minster brought to the attention of the delegation the areas for cooperation and investment in the field of Tourism by highlighting Tourism zones that are available for Investment.

Minister invited Qatar Entrepreneurs to look positively in investing in Tourism Sector .Minister also pointed out that Sri Lanka Tourism has identified Gulf Region as a key Market to attract tourists to Sri Lanka and the Qatar’s presence in Sri Lanka would positively contribute to bring increasing number of Middle East Tourists to Sri Lanka.

Minster Stated that with the dawn of peace the Air Connectivity between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world has increased enormously with 18 new Airlines arriving in Sri Lanka and this has resulted in increasing the Air Cargo capacity for Import Export Trade especially for fresh goods such as Fish and Agricultural products and urged Qatar to make use of this opportunity to further strengthen the trade ties between the two countries.

Stating the Importance of Air connectivity between the two countries Qatar Prime Minister stated the importance of increasing the Flight Frequencies between Colombo and Doha where Sri Lankan side positively agreed that would benefits both Tourist and the Sri Lankan Immigrant work force.

Qatar PM further stated that although the visit to the island was short this visit has helped to build a solid understanding on the potential of Sri Lanka and the visit will act as a precursor to the early next year’s visit to Sri Lanka by His Highness the Emir of Qatar that will pave the way for a beginning of a new era of economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Qatar .

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa hosted a dinner for Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, and his delegation at Temple Trees yesterday (Dec 12).http://lbt.lk/news/economic/892-qatari-quotes-

Hope this time it work.

One time powerful SL minster came and managed to get many contracts on bulding site and was headline in many SL papers...
But after ..our pepole asked for bri... and all contracts got cancelled.

One thing we have to mindful when sanctioning such projects is that with such investments come influence and do we have adequate mechanisms to nullify some bad influences they may bring (intentionally or otherwise) with their money and safeguard what is ours at the end.

God should bless qatar gov if the inv in cse