German Ambassador in Colombo Felix Neumann, while congratulating President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday, said that Germany stands by Sri Lanka as a steadfast friend.
He said that his country is ready to support and engage in meaningful partnership with Sri Lanka for the future.
The Germany envoy said that his country looks forward to working with the new President who has announced his plan to embark on a new chapter in the country.
“We look forward to working with him and the new administration to strengthen these shared principles and wish him well for the challenging task of economic recovery that lies ahead,” he said.
The German Ambassador was speaking at a reception to mark the Day of German Unity at which Western Province Governor Hanif Yusuf was the guest of honour.
Ambassador Neumann added that German Unity Day reminds the world of the democratic values and institutions that keeps Germany united and strives in upholding human rights, diversity and the rule of law.
“Germany shares these democratic values with its longstanding partner, Sri Lanka,” he said.
The Ambassador added that Sri Lanka and Germany relations spans various sectors, including trade, investment, development assistance, education and culture for over seven decades, contributing to the prosperity of both nations.
Speaking on the occasion, Western Province Governor Yusuf aid that Germany is an important economic partner of Sri Lanka in the West and in the European Union and there are more than 160 German companies operating in the country.
“I am happy to note that there are over 160 German companies who have invested and are operating in Sri Lanka. Many of them are leaders in their fields,” the Governor said.
He said that Germany is the fifth largest export destination and the fourth largest source of tourism and a major investor.
The Governor appreciated the German assistance in promoting sustainable tourism and small and medium-scale investors to access the agro export sector in Germany.
He said that Germany has played pivotal role in promoting vocational and technical training in Sri Lanka.
“We hope that with the stabilisation of the economy and with economic reforms, more German companies would be interested in Sri Lanka. There is potential for further enhancing investment in manufacturing, ICT, hospitality and tourism, agriculture and infrastructure sectors,” the Governor said.
The post Germany stands by Sri Lanka as a steadfast friend – German Envoy appeared first on DailyNews.