FT ONLINE

Sri Lanka has shown keen interest in enhancing connectivity with Bangladesh especially in maritime and air links to boost commerce between the two countries.

The commerce and industry ministry of the island nation has called for stronger maritime and air links to boost bilateral trade and investments between the two South Asian countries.

Rishad Bathiudeen, commerce and industry minister of Sri Lanka, said, “Expansion of air links would bring more opportunities to entrepreneurs and investors of the two countries.”

The ministry also said the ports of Hambantota and Colombo could be strong linkages with Chittagong port, due to their strategic locations, to facilitate shipping, tourism and investments.

The minister said, “As neighbouring members of the Bay of Bengal region, both countries have many commonalities.”

“Our common cultural affinities and historical links have immensely nourished our modern day inter-state relations,” Bathiudeen said on Tuesday.

He said more frequent direct air links between Colombo and Dhaka too shall strengthen economic co-operation, investment promotion, tourism and people-to-people contacts, gulf-times.com reported.

The commerce and industry minister informed that, Sri Lanka’s bilateral trade with Bangladesh saw a surge in recent years.

In the previous year, apparels, plastics and petroleum products were Sri Lanka’s leading exports to Bangladesh.