November 20, Colombo (LNW): At a recent roundtable discussion organized by the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khaled Nasser Al Ameri called for deeper bilateral ties between the two nations. He emphasized exploring avenues for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in areas such as technology, digitisation, trade, and tourism.
Ambassador Al Ameri highlighted the UAE’s role as a re-export hub, citing Sri Lanka’s US$ 110 million tea shipments to the UAE in 2022 and the advanced blending and packaging facilities available in the country. “The UAE’s investor-friendly policies and vibrant economy present endless opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses to grow and prosper,” he stated.
He urged Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to diversify beyond traditional commodities and expand into services like IT, Business Operations Management (BOM), finance, and insurance. Additionally, he encouraged innovation in developing health-related products and emphasized focusing on cutting-edge industries like renewable energy, fintech, and logistics.
“The UAE is dedicated to building strong relations with Sri Lanka, and by collaborating, we can transform global commerce through technology and digitisation,” the Ambassador noted.
COYLE requested the Ambassador’s assistance in connecting with a UAE-based chamber to explore mutual business opportunities. Discussions also included enhancing tourism ties, with the Ambassador stressing the need for Sri Lanka to better market its cultural and natural attractions to UAE tourists.
With its proximity to India and strategic location in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka holds significant potential as a regional partner, offering opportunities in trade, tourism, and infrastructure development. The event underscored the mutual benefits of a stronger partnership between the two nations.
