Nov 17, Colombo: Vietnam will provide its expertise on foreign investment promotion and attraction to Sri Lanka to draft the proposed new Investment Bill.

This was stated by a high-level delegation headed by Vietnam Communist Party Central Committee Member Dr. Bui Van Nghiem when they called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo today (November 17).

The Prime Minister congratulated Vietnam for the success of rapid economic development after gaining independence after a valiant freedom struggle. He praised the innovative methods adopted by Vietnam to successfully attract foreign investments and requested to share its experience with as Sri Lanka is planning to formulate a new Foreign Investment Bill shortly.

Dr Bui Van Nghiem acceded to the Prime Minister’s request and added that Vietnam considers Sri Lanka as a special friend and there is huge potential for further expansion of bilateral trade, investment, tourism and cultural relations.

He also said that he hails from Vinh Long Province, which is known as Rise Hub of Vietnam as it’s famous for paddy and other agricultural production and provinces in Sri Lanka could establish provincial level collaboration with Vinh Long for mutual benefit.

The Vietnam delegation discussed ways and means of further strengthening and deepening bilateral relations in spheres such as trade, tourism, industry, agriculture, culture, education, investment and other commercial and economic activity, including tourism.

The leader of the delegation, Dr. Bui Van Nghiem is also a senior member of the apex body of Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), which is equivalent to a Cabinet Minister of the Government of Viet Nam.

The high-level delegation consists of senior-most officials of the Government of Viet Nam including Ministry of Industry and Trade and Central Commission for External Relations of CPV, corporates and business personalities and academia.

MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Anura Dissanayake and Director General of Foreign Ministry, Shashikala Premawardane also took part in the discussion.