Sept 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka and Norway will begin a new era in the two countries' bilateral relations with Norway's assistance for Sri Lanka's economic development, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.

New Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Grete Lochen has said that Norway will extend its fullest cooperation for the economic development of Sri Lanka when she called on the Minister on Monday at the Ministry.

Norway will assist Sri Lanka to develop country's fishing industry and tourism and will make arrangements to have a meeting between Sri Lankan business community and Norwegian investors, the new Ambassador has told the Minister.

The discussions between the diplomat and the Minister have focused on future economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Minister Rajapaksa has apprised the Ambassador of Sri Lanka's economic growth despite the global economic downturn and the drought experiencing in some part of Sri Lanka. He has also noted that trade sanctions against Iran had resulted in severe impacts on the Sri Lankan economy but the government had been able to maintain continuous development due to proper financial management.

The Minister has pointed out that there are many potential for Norwegian investors and development of the tourism sector.

The Norwegian diplomat assured continued support of her Government to development in Sri Lanka.

Thanking the Norwegian Government for the maintenance of economic and trade cooperation with Sri Lanka, Minister Rajapaksa has said that relations between the two countries had further strengthened due to economic and political stability and the progress achieved by the two countries in bilateral relations.