A delegation led by Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, visited the Maldives for two days this week to have discussions with the Government of the Maldives and the Maldivian business community about expanding significantly the business and trade relationship between the two countries.

Sarath de Silva, President of the Sri Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers’ Association, Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya, CEO/Secretary-General of the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka, Ms.Lilakshini de Mel of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Eberhard Hauser, Principal Advisor, SAARC and Trade Promotion Project of GTZ, and Mr. Roshanjith Sriniwasa, Advisor, GTZ, were the members of the delegation.

Dr. Mahmoodh Shanqee, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Maldives, told Minister Peiris and the delegation about the extensive opportunities that would be available in the construction sector, since the government of the Maldives had decided to build 44 more resort hotels, while 10 more were in the pipeline. He expected a growth of about 40% in the tourism sector within the next 3 years, and a construction boon would therefore be anticipated.

Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya responded by indicating that the Sri Lankan construction sector would be able to provide high quality services not only with regard to construction itself, but in a variety of other fields including quantity surveying, land valuation and specialized services like air conditioning and interior decoration. Professor Peiris informed Minister Shanqee of the expertise available in Sri Lanka in the field of commercial arbitration, a priority need in the Maldives in the context of the flourishing business environment.

A separate meeting took place with the President of the Maldives Association of Construction Industry.

The growth in tourism will also result in increased demand for high quality fruits, vegetables and spices. Mr. Sarath de Silva indicated, at the meeting with Mr. Hussain Hilmy, Minister of Fisheries Agriculture and Marine Resources, that Sri Lankan exporters are amply equipped to take advantage of these opportunities and expressed special interest in the proposed port facility, with provision for storage of perishable goods in the vicinity.

Modalities for co-operation between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Maldivian business community were discussed in depth at the meeting which Minister Peiris and the delegation had with Mr. Mohamed Salih, President of the Maldivian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mrs. Lilakshini de Mel of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce referred to the Joint Business Council which had been established between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and said that a single country trade fair would be organized in the near future.