MUSCAT : Sri Lanka Embassy in Oman organized a bilateral trade visit of five member Sri Lanka delegation led by Minister of Trade of Sri Lanka Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana to the Sultanate of Oman from 27 – 28 March, 2022.

The visit of Sri Lanka Ministerial Trade Delegation was prompted by the recent visit of 17 member Omani Business Delegation headed by the Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI), to Sri Lanka from 05 – 09 March 2022.

Sri Lanka Ministerial Trade Delegation was comprised of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Ameer Ajwad, Director of Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, M. Somasena Mahadulwewa, Chairman of Sri Lanka Trading Corporation (STC) Yogendra Perera, Senior Consultant to CINEC Campus, Admiral (Rtd) Thisara Samarasinghe and President of SLTC, Ranjith Rubasinghe.

Minister Bandula Gunawardhana together with the delegation met with the Minister of Energy and Minerals of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Al Rumhi and discussed potential cooperation in the establishment of Oil refinery and Gas storage facilities at G2G level between the two countries. Minister Gunawardhana handed over a special letter addressed to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik from Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse.

Sri Lanka Ministerial Trade Delegation also met with the Minister of Heritage and Tourism of Oman, Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahruqi and explored ways and means to promote tourism between the two countries. Both sides agreed to facilitate links between the tour operators in both countries.  During the meeting, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad highlighted that a MoU, which has now been finalized between the Ministries of Tourism of the two countries for signature, would serve as a catalyst for the enhancement of cooperation in tourism and hospitality sectors between the two countries. 

Sri Lanka Ministerial Trade Delegation led by Minister Gunawardhana held detailed bilateral discussion with the delegation from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman headed by the Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Saleh Said Masan. Both sides exchanged information related to opportunities available in both countries for trade and investment.  They also identified potential sectors to initiate collaboration between the two countries.  It was also agreed to organize Business Forum and B2B meetings in Oman with the participation of multi- sector business delegation from Sri Lanka in September 2022.  During the meeting, Sri Lanka side also proposed on concluding a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with limited product coverage between the two countries.  Both sides also agreed to set up a Committee representing the government and private sectors with a view to following up the areas identified during the visit.

Sri Lanka Ministerial Trade Delegation had a productive meeting with the delegation of the Ministry of Higher Education of Oman led by Undersecretary Dr. Bakhit Ahmed Al-Mahri.  Sri Lanka delegation shared information on the potential opportunities available in the higher education sector in Sri Lanka for Omani students. They also explored opportunities for the establishment of Sri Lanka higher education facilities in Oman on joint venture basis. 

Sri Lanka Ministerial Trade Delegation also held a follow up meeting with the Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) Engr. Redha bin Juma Al Saleh together with the OCCI Board Members and took stock of the outcome of the recent visit undertaken by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Sri Lanka from 05 – 09 March 2022.  They also discussed a programme for the forthcoming visit of business delegation from Sri Lanka to Oman.  OCCI also organized meetings with the Private Educational Institutions in Oman for the visiting Sri Lankan trade delegation with a view to establishing collaborations between the private institutions in the two countries.

Minister Gunawardhana and the delegation also visited Lulu Hypermarket and SPAR Supermarket in Oman where Sri Lankan products are sold, held meetings with the management and explored ways and means to promote more Sri Lankan products to be introduced into the Omani retail market.