The private sectors in Sri Lanka and Iran should cooperate closely for the implementation of joint projects following the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions on Tehran, says the prime minister of the Indian Ocean country.
“Positive developments have taken place in Sri Lanka’s economy. The private sector has become very active here, and we are seeking to set up meetings with Iran’s private sector,” Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in Colombo on Thursday.
The prime minister said his country is keen to enhance trade ties with the Islamic Republic in various areas.
“The bygone era of sanctions was a difficult time. We believe the remaining issues should be resolved and the conditions should be facilitated so that businesses from both countries can easily work together.”
Under Iran’s settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions, most of which were lifted in 2016.
Wickremesinghe added that parliamentary cooperation plays a critical role in creating an environment conducive to the development of the overall relations between nations. He said he would visit Iran in the near future to discuss ways to boost bilateral ties.
Economic Leap
Larijani said Iranian and Lankan companies have completed a number of projects together and should embark on new ventures, particularly as the South Asian state is poised for an “economic leap”.
“Given the long history of trade between our two countries, the chambers of commerce can contribute greatly to increasing the volume of trade by identifying more areas of cooperation.”
Both parliaments have pledged to help accelerate efforts to remove trade barriers for mutual benefit, the Majlis speaker added.
Promoting Exports
In a meeting on Thursday, the Lankan Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya expressed his country’s interest in joint projects and increasing exports to Iran, including black tea, coffee and cocoa.
Larijani recalled that Iranian engineers had helped provide electricity to communities in rural areas in Sri Lanka, adding that the project to construct a dam in the island nation is 85% complete.
He encouraged closer cooperation in the fields of manufacturing medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
“There are certain issues in regard to banking transactions, which have to be solved to clear the way for robust economic collaboration .”
Extradition Treaty
Larijani stated that an extradition treaty with Sri Lanka has been ratified by Iranian lawmakers.
The visiting Iranian parliamentary delegation and members of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held talks for the development of infrastructure needed to promote ties in all areas, including tourism and IT sectors.
