The inauguration of the Qatar Sri Lanka Business Council at the Sri Lankan embassy in Doha marks a significant step towards enhancing bilateral trade relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka. The new business council aims to facilitate closer relationships between the business communities of both countries and promote mutual investments and trade opportunities. The event, attended by Ambassador Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen and council office bearers, highlighted the practical value of the council in strengthening economic ties and fostering growth and cooperation between Qatar and Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen emphasized the historical trade and cultural ties between Qatar and Sri Lanka, expressing optimism about the potential for elevating their commercial relationship through the newly established council. The Qatar Sri Lanka Business Council is expected to create a conducive environment for increasing trade volumes, attracting foreign direct investment, and exploring emerging sectors of mutual interest through direct engagement between businesses, investments promotion, and knowledge exchange. The council’s main objectives, as outlined by President John Prasad, include promoting bilateral trade, sharing investment opportunities, fostering collaboration, enhancing networking, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
The council’s focus will be on creating a balanced trade relationship between Qatar and Sri Lanka by enhancing and diversifying trade, encouraging Qatari investments in key sectors such as tourism, real estate, manufacturing, and services, and sharing business opportunities with the Sri Lankan business community. Additionally, the council aims to build a strong business network between Qatar and Sri Lanka and provide support for SMEs looking to expand into international markets. The success of the business council is contingent on active collaboration and participation from businesses in both countries, as a dynamic and successful network would mutually benefit Qatar and Sri Lanka.
Affiliated with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Doha, the Qatar Sri Lanka Business Council comprises Sri Lankan professionals working in various sectors in Qatar. The council has launched a website to communicate its objectives and highlight trade and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. The debut office bearers of the council include a vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and several members, all of whom are dedicated to furthering the council’s mission of fostering strong economic ties between Qatar and Sri Lanka. Through initiatives like the Qatar Sri Lanka Business Council, both countries aim to strengthen their economic relations and explore new avenues for collaboration and growth in the future.