Nine MOUs Signed between Qatar & Sri Lanka during Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani's Official Visit

16th January 2012, www.colombopage.com, Photos By Sudath Silva

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani who arrived in Sri Lanka for a two-day official visit on the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has concluded his visit and left the country this morning.

The Emir of the oil-rich Gulf nation led a business delegation consisting of high ranking officials of the Qatari government and several leading businessmen.

Bilateral discussions were conducted between the representatives of Sri Lanka led by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the representatives of the Kingdom of Qatar led by the Emir.

During the Emir's highly successful visit representatives of the two countries have signed six Memoranda of Understanding and three other agreements on Sunday at the Temple Trees.

Both countries have agreed to set up a high level joint committee and Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris on behalf of Sri Lanka and the Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar Khaled bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah for the State of Qatar signed the relevant MoU.

A MoU on cooperation in the field of education, Higher Education and Scientific Research was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Qatar, Dr. Khaled Bin Mohamed Al - Attiyah on behalf of that country and Minister of Education, Bandula Gunawardena and the Minister of Higher Education, S.B. Dissanayaka on behalf of Sri Lanka.

The other agreements signed between the two countries included the following:

• An agreement on cooperation in the fields of Economic, Commerce and Technology was signed by Qatari Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Yousef Hussain Kamal and the Sri Lankan Minister of Commerce and Industries, Rishad Bathiyutheen.

• An agreement on the cooperation in the field of Cultural Affairs was signed by Qatari Foreign Minister, Dr. Khaled Bin Mohamed Al - Attiyah and Minister of Cultural Affairs and Arts, T.B. Ekanayake.

• An agreement on the cooperation in the field of legal affairs signed by the Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Khaled Bin Mohamed Al - Attiyah and Sri Lanka Minister of Justice Rauf Hakeem.

• MOU on cooperation in the field of Tourism signed by Qatari Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Yusef Hussain Kamal and the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Laxman Yapa Abeywardena.

• An agreement on cooperation in the field of Civil Aviation signed by Qatari Foreign Minister, Dr. Khaled Bin Mohamed Al - Attiyah and the Minister of Civil Aviation, Priyankara Jayaratne

• An agreement on cooperation between the Sri Lanka Board of Investment and Qatari Board of Investment in the field of Land Sector Investment signed by the Executive Director of Qatari Diar Sate investment company, Mohamed HH Al Hedfa on behalf of Kingdom of Qatar and the Chairman of Sri Lanka Board of Investment, M.M.C. Ferdinando on behalf of Sri Lanka

• An agreement on Sri Lanka Board of Investment and the Qatari Holding Company on cooperation in the field of Investment signed by the General Manager and the Chief Executive of Qatari Holding Company, Ahamed Mohamed Al Sayed on behalf of the Kingdom Qatar and the Chairman of Sri Lanka Board of Investment, M.M.C. Ferdinando on behalf of Sri Lanka

President Rajapaksa hosted the Qatari leader and his delegation for a state banquet at the President's House on Sunday. The Emir enjoyed a cultural dance staged by the Cultural Unit of Sri Lanka Police following the dinner.

Related Info :

• Emir of Qatar to Visit Sri Lanka. Two Agreements to be Signed on Investment Promotion, Protection & Cooperation in Education & Research

• Qatar Sri Lanka Investment & Trade to Expand with a Joint Commission and Proposed Investment Agreement

Emir of Qatar to Visit Sri Lanka. Two Agreements to be Signed on Investment Promotion, Protection & Cooperation in Education & Research

13th January 2012, http://www.ft.lk

Sri Lanka is to pen two agreements with Qatar on Investment Promotion and Protection as well as for cooperation in education, higher education and scientific research. The documents will be signed between the two countries during the Qatar President’s visit, which will take place on 15 and 16 January. Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani will make an official visit to Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Qatari delegation will consist of high-ranking officials of the Qatari Government and several leading business tycoons of Qatar, the official Government website said.


On a proposal made by External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris Cabinet approval was granted for the proposed agreement to intensify economic cooperation to the mutual benefit of Sri Lanka and the State of Qatar, while creating and maintaining more favourable conditions for investments by investors of both countries.

Meanwhile, on the proposal made by Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Cabinet decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in education, higher education and scientific research.

This MoU intends to consolidate friendship ties and promote cooperation in the fields of education, higher education and scientific research between the two Governments, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Under the investment agreement, protection and security will be assured for businesses by both countries.

Related Info :

• Qatar Sri Lanka Investment & Trade to Expand with a Joint Commission and Proposed Investment Agreement

Emir of Qatar to Visit Sri Lanka later this year. Two Countries to Establish a Joint Commission to Develop Bilateral Trade

23rd February 2011, www.gulf-times.com

HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani will visit South Asian island republic of Sri Lanka later this year, according to a report in one of the English newspapers of that country yesterday.

Quoting Sri Lankan government sources, Colombo’s Daily Mirror newspaper reported that the Emir’s decision to visit Sri Lanka followed an invitation from the country’s President Mahinda Rajapakse, which he sent through his External Affairs Minister G L Peiris, when he visited Qatar a week ago.

Quoting official sources, the newspaper also reported that the two countries would establish a joint commission to develop bilateral ties in trade, investment, tourism and economic sectors.

When contacted, a senior official of Sri Lankan embassy in Doha confirmed the reports on the proposed visit of the Emir.

“Even though it is too early to say when the Emir would visit Colombo, it is certain that it would take place this year itself,” he said. It would take place at a time which is convenient to both the Sri Lankan government and the visiting delegation, the official added.

Answering a query, the embassy official said besides the Emir, the Sri Lankan external affairs minister had also met HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and HE the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Sultan bin Hassan al-Dhabit al-Dossari.

The newspaper also said that Qatar had agreed to help to develop tourism in Sri Lanka.

It was also agreed to employ engineers and technicians from Sri Lanka in the works linked to the Fifa World Cup Football, which Qatar would host in 2022.

The local Sri Lankan embassy sources put the number of Sri Lankans in the country close to 95,000.

“This number is based on the records provided to the embassy by Qatar ministry of interior,” said the mission’s official.

Related Info :
• Qatar Sri Lanka Investment & Trade to Expand with a Joint Commission and Proposed Investment Agreement

• Qatar Petrochemical Company Comes to Sri Lanka. Supplies Ethylene & Polyethylene Products to Plastic Industry

Qatar Sri Lanka Investment & Trade to Expand with a Joint Commission and Proposed Investment Agreement

18th February 2011, www.dailynews.lk

A strong foundation exists for a significant expansion of the investment and trade relationship between Sri Lanka and the State of Qatar with the eradication of terrorism and the establishment of stability, External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris said at his audience with Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan in Doha.

The Emir recalled his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year in New York.

The Emir welcomed the opportunity to work with Sri Lanka in the new situation. Minister Peiris said a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation has been signed by the two countries, and discussions were initiated to establish Joint Commission and the provisions of a proposed investment agreement.

The two sides agreed to work together towards rapid implementation. They also discussed a proposal for a multi-purpose storage facility in Colombo for liquid natural gas, of which Qatar is the largest producer in the world, for trans-shipment purposes, skilled employment from Sri Lanka and a range of issues connected with food security.

The Emir offered assistance with regard to Hi-Tech projects.

The Emir said Sri Lanka is considered a suitable destination for investment.

Minister Peiris held a discussion with Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Qatar Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabir Al-Thani at the Prime Minister's Office. Tourism was identified as a promising area for collaboration and a joint project was to be formulated.

Plans were discussed to bring about closer interaction between the Chambers of Commerce in the two countries.

Prof Peiris also met Social Affairs Minister and Acting Labour Minister Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Humidhi.

Related Info :
• Qatar Petrochemical Company Comes to Sri Lanka. Supplies Ethylene & Polyethylene Products to Plastic Industry

Qatar Petrochemical Company Comes to Sri Lanka. Supplies Ethylene & Polyethylene Products to Plastic Industry

20th December 2010, www.island.lk

Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) has opened an office in Sri Lanka to which it supplies ethylene and polyethylene products mainly to the plastic industry, company officials said.

"We’ll be marketing low density polyethylene to the Sri Lankan industry," a spokesman said.

"It is used for mainly for making bags, and also for lamination and foam products like air-conditioner ducting."

Qatar Petrochemical Company is part of the Qatar oil ministry and makes and exports ethylene, polyethylene and sulphur.

Petrochemicals are used to make products like plastics, soaps and detergents, paints and drugs, fertilizers and pesticides.

Qapco was established in 1974 as a multinational venture to use ethane gas from petroleum production in line with the industrialization plan of Qatar.

It has a global marketing network of 26 offices and three regional storage facilities and produces 800,000 tonnes of ethylene annually, 400,000 tonnes of low density polyethylene and 70,000 tons of sulphur.

The products, shipped in 25 kilo bags in containers, were previously marketed in Sri Lanka through its joint venture partner Total Petrochemicals of France.

"Now we’re doing a little over 5000 tonnes a year and sales are growing at about 2-3 percent," the spokesman said.

"Our global strategy is to have a presence everywhere. We want our own offices so we have first hand, direct interaction with end-users."

The total Sri Lankan market is around 9,000 tonnes.

QAPCO’s global marketing network comprises of 28 offices and six regional warehouses.

Tourists from Middle East to Sri Lanka Doubled in January 2010. Strongest Growth from Qatar, then UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

08th April 2010, firstlanka.com

The sources of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority show that the number of tourists from the Middle East to Sri Lanka doubled in January 2010, when compared to the same month in the previous year.
The strongest growth has been registered from Qatar, which was up 171 percent, followed by the UAE (164 percent), Saudi Arabia (127 percent), and Kuwait (135 percent).

Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, Middle East Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said that early indications pointed to double-digit growth” for the number of visitors from the region holidaying on this South Asian island this year.

“Sri Lanka is ideally positioned as a destination to attract more regional travellers despite the credit crunch as stability has finally dawned on Sri Lanka with the war coming to an end and the destination offers very good value for money,” Al Mansoori further stated.