A meeting has taken place between ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka, Khaled Nasser Alameri and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody.
During the meeting, the ambassador said he had also met with president Anura Kumara Dissanayake and added that as a country that has strong friendly relations with Sri Lanka, the UAE views the recent political change in the country in a very positive manner.
The ambassador further stated that UAE is interested in investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, especially in the energy sector.
Alameri also said that he firmly believes that president Dissanayake’s upcoming visit to the UAE, will be an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the investment opportunities in the country and to reach various agreements.
Minister Jayakody said that the UAE, which is Sri Lanka’s sixth largest export market and employs a large number of Sri Lankans, is a country with strong friendship, and that all types of relations with the UAE are highly valued.
The minister expressed confidence that investment ties, especially in the energy sector will further strengthen that friendship.
Minister Jayakody also emphasized the importance of working together for energy stability in the region and said that he expects to reach many more agreements during his upcoming visit to the UAE with the president.
President to visit UAE next week
President Dissanayake will undertake a visit to the UAE from 10 to 13 February at the invitation of the president of the UAE Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to participate in the World Government Summit 2025.
During the visit, the president will address the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai and hold bilateral discussions with president Al Nahyan on a range of areas of mutual interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
He is scheduled to meet the vice president and prime minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The president will also hold bilateral meetings with heads of state and governments from several countries who will attend the summit.
President Dissanayake will also engage with a number of CEOs of leading global companies in the sectors of IT, AI, energy, tourism, finance, and media to attract investments to Sri Lanka.