Sri Lanka is keen on seeking Qatari investment in tourism, power and health sectors, said Rauff Hakeem, Minister of City Planning and Water Supply, Sri Lanka. He was speaking in a Business and Investment Forum held a Doha Bank headquarters yesterday, reported The Peninsula.

“The Sri Lankan government has identified the Tourism sector as a key growth area in the post conflict development era, with an target of attracting 2.5 million visitors by 2016. Bananas and plantains was the main export to Qatar from Sri Lanka, claiming 31 percent of the total exports to Qatar in 2014,” said Hakeem.

“Sri Lanka is keen on seeking Qatari investment in tourism, power and health sectors. Sri Lanka has free health care and has increased the health care expenditure from 1.8 percent to three percent of the GDP. Sri Lanka has signed bilateral Investment Protection Agreements (IPA) with 28 countries. The country has a very independent system of courts which can redress any concerns of investors,” he added.

The forum was organised by Doha Bank in collaboration with Embassy of Sri Lanka in Qatar, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and Ministry of City Planning & Water Supply, Sri Lanka. Dr R Seetharaman shed light on Qatar economy and Qatar Sri Lanka bilateral relationships. He added that Qatar can be a potential trade and investment partner for Sri Lanka.