Sri Lanka eyes greater Qatari investment, job opportunities during Deputy FM’s Doha visit
Sri Lanka has sought to deepen its economic and development ties with Qatar, with discussions focusing on new investments, development assistance and expanded employment opportunities for skilled Sri Lankans during Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra’s official visit to Doha.
During the visit, Hemachandra held separate discussions with the Qatar Chamber and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), while also meeting members of the Sri Lankan community in Doha to discuss issues affecting migrant workers and developments in Sri Lanka.
At the Qatar Chamber, the Deputy Minister met First Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar, with discussions focusing on opportunities to expand trade, investment and business-to-business cooperation between the two countries.
Hemachandra highlighted potential investment opportunities in Colombo Port City, real estate and other emerging sectors, while the two sides also discussed capacity building and ways to establish stronger links between Sri Lankan and Qatari business communities.
The Deputy Minister briefed the Qatar Chamber on the economic and institutional reforms being undertaken in Sri Lanka under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, including measures aimed at economic stability, fiscal discipline and institutional strengthening.
He said the reforms were intended to create a more stable, predictable and investor-friendly environment while providing greater protection for investments and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Hemachandra also highlighted Fitch Ratings’ recent upgrade of Sri Lanka’s sovereign credit rating to ‘B-’ with a Stable Outlook, citing it as reflecting progress in macroeconomic stabilisation, structural reforms and improvements in the country’s fiscal and external balances.
The Deputy Minister also briefed the Qatar Chamber on Sri Lanka Expo 2027 and exchanged views on strengthening links between Qatari businesses, Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and business organisations.
The discussions also covered ways of expanding private-sector cooperation and translating Sri Lanka’s changing economic environment into greater trade, investment and long-term business partnerships with Qatar.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Qatar, Sithara Khan, joined the meeting at the Qatar Chamber.
Meanwhile, Hemachandra also visited the Qatar Fund for Development and held discussions with its Deputy Director General Abdullah Alfehani as part of efforts to expand development cooperation between Sri Lanka and Qatar.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for humanitarian assistance provided by the QFFD during challenging periods, as well as its continued development support to the country.
He highlighted QFFD assistance in areas including health, education and housing.
The two sides also reviewed the Qatar Fund for Development’s current priorities and explored potential areas for further development cooperation and future projects in Sri Lanka.
Hemachandra said Sri Lanka was looking to strengthen its engagement with the QFFD and build on the longstanding development partnership between the two countries.
The Deputy Minister also met members of the Sri Lankan community at a gathering organised by Ethera Api at Dusit D2 in Doha.
Hemachandra said the meeting provided an opportunity to listen to the experiences and concerns of Sri Lankans living and working in Qatar and to discuss the direction in which Sri Lanka is heading.
The discussions covered several issues directly affecting Sri Lankan migrant workers, including worker welfare and protection, fair and transparent recruitment practices and improvements to services provided to Sri Lankans employed overseas.
The Deputy Minister also discussed the need to expand employment opportunities for skilled Sri Lankan workers in countries such as Qatar.
Hemachandra briefed the gathering on the Government’s progress since President Dissanayake assumed office in September 2024, outlining changes undertaken during the past two years and the Government’s future responsibilities.
He also acknowledged the contribution made by Sri Lankans living overseas, noting their continued connection to the country and interest in its future despite living away from home.
The engagements formed part of Hemachandra’s official visit to Doha, with the Government seeking to strengthen Sri Lanka-Qatar relations across investment, trade, development cooperation and overseas employment. (Newswire)
The post Sri Lanka eyes greater Qatari investment, job opportunities during Deputy FM’s Doha visit appeared first on Newswire.