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Sri Lanka eyes better trade ties with UAE

ABU DHABI - Sri Lanka has considerable potential to strengthen bilateral trade and commercial ties with the UAE,

Following its newly developed ports infrastructure and a rise in tourism from the Emirates to Sri Lanka could be a positive fallout, Sri Lankan Ambassador-designate said yesterday.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Lalith Hettiarachchi, who is expected to present his credentials to the Foreign Office next week, said that instead of relying on foreign direct investment from overseas Sri Lankan expatriates as the number one revenue earner, the island nation would do well to boost its trade and investment relations with the UAE and Middle East region, given Dubai's reputation as an inter-port trade hub, and Colombo's emerging status as an entry-port.

Further development of the Hambanthota Port, which saw several hundred large ships cross its tip en route to international ports of call, is also set to boost the transshipment. A feasibility study, currently being undertaken with a Canadian grant, is likely to enhance commercial port development here, he said.

Mr Hettiarachchi, who has served as a minister in the Sri Lankan mission in Bonn, Germany for five years, and hails from the Sri Lankan Administrative Services, until recently worked as Project Director of an $80 million coastal resources management project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

He has also headed the Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employees (SLBFE), and considers that the UAE, where nearly 150,000 Sri Lankan expatriates are employed, might be an important place to grapple with several pressing labour problems.

He averred that although the SLBFE could perform a supervisory role, it was not in a position to ensure that the right standards of recruitment were followed in each individual overseas employee's case.

He urged a greater and more responsible role by private sector recruitment agencies in Sri Lanka in ensuring that all stipulations, including an insurance remittance by the candidates, had been met, before they were allowed to leave the airport.

He added that the SLBFE was also acting upon the decision of the incumbent government to enhance the image of the Sri Lankan overseas workers and had an updated database to ensure that only well-trained and specialised workers to countries in the Middle East requirements in keeping with the labour requirements here.

On the issue of general amnesty extended by the UAE government, Mr Hettiarachchi commented that the lukewarm response by many Asian illegals was cause for concern, adding that the UAE was well within its rights in resorting to force to deport them, if required.

He also pointed out that tourism was another area with potential in bilateral relations, given the 42 monthly flights being operated by Sri Lankan Airlines and Emirates, and the cost-effective, green holiday options that the country offered UAE tourists today.