Sri Lanka is exploring the possibility of increasing economic activities with the Indian state of Gujarat.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has discussed ways to enhance economic activities and tourism between Sri Lanka and the State of Gujarat, during discussions with the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Gujarat, on the Western Coast of India is of considerable importance to Sri Lanka as India’s fifth largest state economy.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner said that Gujarat and Sri Lanka can be partners in promoting Agro-processing Industries, textile, petrochemicals, spices and tea.
He noted that deal Sri Lanka could establish bilateral ties on regular basis in sectors including refractories, pharmaceuticals, apparel, plastic packaging, starch, petroleum and petro products, tea and other Agro-products.
“Sri Lanka also has an FTA with Singapore and Singapore in return has FTAs across the Globe with major countries like the USA, Turkey, Japan and China to name a few, which Gujarati entrepreneurs have to take into consideration while investing in Sri Lanka.
During his three-day official visit to the State of Gujarat, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Milinda Moragoda has met with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at his office in Gandhinagar.
The relevant discussions between Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Milinda Moragoda and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have been focused on enhancing economic activities and people to people contact between Sri Lanka and Gujarat, a statement said.
Talks between the Sri Lankan Envoy and the Gujarat Chief Minister have also focused on the interactions between the State of Gujarat and Sri Lanka in multiple spheres and particularly in the tourism sector.
The importance of promoting the Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka among Gujarati tourists and the Gujarat Buddhist Trail among Sri Lankan pilgrims was also discussed, it said.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka High Commissioner in India has met the Governor of the State of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar.
While discussions were mainly focusing on the relations between Sri Lanka and Gujarat, the Sri Lankan Envoy has sought cooperation of the Gujarati Governor in imparting technical know how to Sri Lanka on agricultural and farming practices.
Moragoda has further briefed the Governor about Sri Lanka’s decision to appoint an Honorary Consul in Ahmedabad to cover the State of Gujarat.
