‘Potential of Jordanian-Sri Lankan cooperation huge’

AMMAN — Jordan and Sri Lanka will sign several agreements in 2019 to further enhance relations, trade and efforts to boost tourism between the two countries, according to Sri Lankan Ambassador to Jordan Abdul Latiff Lafeer.

An agreement on investment protection and anther on preventing double taxation will be signed this year, in addition to other deals in the areas of defence, security and extradition, the ambassador told The Jordan Times on the occasion of Sri Lanka’s 71st national day, which the embassy will mark today.

“Around five to six agreements will be signed this year with a view to strengthen cooperation in many fields,” said the ambassador.

To boost cooperation in the fields of tourism and business, several activities are planned for this year, including a road show in April as several Sri Lankan travel agencies will be visiting Amman that month to discuss cooperation with their Jordanian peers, Lafeer said.

“The number of Jordanians travelling to Sri Lanka is witnessing a steady increase every year, and the potential is huge,” said the ambassador.

According to the ambassador, more than 5,000 Jordanians visited Sri Lanka in 2018, which was 6 per cent higher than the year before.

The ambassador added that trade between the countries reached around $40 million in 2018, registering a slight increase compared with 2017.

The trade balance is in favour of Sri Lanka, said the ambassador, adding that exports to Jordan are rising and include new commodities such as seafood.

During the interview, the ambassador voiced appreciation for Jordanians’ hospitality, as the Kingdom is home to some 15,000 Sri Lankan nationals who mainly work in the textile sector in the Kingdom.

The ambassador also voiced appreciation for the issuance of the general pardon, adding that some 1,000 to 2,000 Sri Lankans will benefit from it as they will be exempted from fees for illegally staying in the Kingdom.

The ambassador said the potential was huge for increased cooperation between Jordanian and Sri Lankan businesspeople, especially since several major infrastructure projects are underway or planned in Sri Lanka, including a project to build a new port in the capital.

In the field of culture, the ambassador added the embassy will hold several folklore dances and shows during 2019.