Sri Lankan garment manufacturers are looking for opportunities to set up factories in Qatar, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar HE Kithsiri Athulathmudali has said.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, the new Sri Lankan envoy said that there was a lot of potential for Sri Lankan garment manufacturers to grow in the Middle East region by setting up factories in Qatar.
“Sri Lankan manufacturers are known worldwide for producing high-end garments. Garments for top clothing brand like Marks & Spencer and most American brands are manufactured in Sri Lanka. We want to bring this expertise to Qatar as it is one of the biggest markets for top clothing brands in the region,” the envoy said.
Athulathmudali said that gems and jewellery manufacturers in Sri Lanka are also very bullish about the Qatari market.
“Gems and jewellery business is one for the vibrant businesses in Sri Lanka and we hope to expand it to Qatar,” he said.
The envoy said that there was a lot of potential between the two countries to strengthen ties in sectors like agriculture, information technology, security services and infrastructure.
“Sri Lanka is just five hours flight from Doha. We can export fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables to Qatar in a big way. Qatar can investment in projects aimed at modernising our agriculture sector. Qatar imports food products and we are the producers. Such investments will be beneficial for both countries,” he said.
“The information technology sector is quite developed in Sri Lanka. Majority of the banks in Qatar have also hired skilled Sri Lankan IT professional. I expect many more Sri Lankan professionals to join workforce in Qatar,” he said.
Besides IT professionals, the envoy said, Sri Lanka has the potential to become one of the main source countries for hiring skilled professionals for sectors like banking, construction, hospitality, events management and logistics.
“We have almost 500 people working for Qatar’s leading logistics firm GWC. My aim is to increase that number,” he said.
Security management is another area where expertise of Sri Lankans can be used, he said.
“Qatar will require a lot of security personnel during the upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup. Our well-trained security personnel can be a big support for Qatar in managing the mega event,” he said.
Tourism is another area where there is a lot of potential for growth between the two countries, he said.
“Qataris are getting used to Sri Lankan environment and we have witnessed some Qatari tourists visiting Sri Lanka in the last few years, but in my opinion it is not enough. So I am planning to hold a tourism week this year in Doha to showcase the various tourist destinations in Sri Lanka,” he said.
The envoy said the current bilateral trade of $60 million doesn’t match the full potential of trade opportunities available in the two countries.
“I have made it a point to visit at least two Qatari companies in a week and encourage them to forge trade ties with Sri Lankan companies. I hope the trade volume between the two countries will rise substantially in the years to come,” he said.
