High Commissioner His Excellency Masood Imad delivered a keynote address at the 16th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council, highlighting the immense potential for trade and investment collaboration between the two nations.

Addressing the Council as Chief Guest, the High Commissioner underscored the strong historical ties and shared values between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, providing a solid foundation for economic partnership. He emphasized the growing Maldivian market for Sri Lankan products, particularly in tourism industry, agriculture, food processing, textiles, and construction materials.

To capitalize on these opportunities, High Commissioner Masood Imad urged Sri Lankan businesses to focus on quality assurance, market research, and efficient logistics. He also outlined investment prospects in Maldives, emphasizing sectors like tourism, hospitality, renewable energy, and fisheries. The High Commissioner encouraged Sri Lankan investors to explore partnerships with Maldivian counterparts to develop high-end resorts, boutique hotels, and sustainable tourism projects.

In the realm of tourism, High Commissioner Masood Imad proposed joint marketing campaigns, integrated travel packages, and cultural exchanges to enhance the appeal of both countries as tourist destinations. He stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations through regular business forums, trade missions, and collaborative research initiatives.

Concluding his address, the High Commissioner commended the efforts and achievements of the Council to promote trade between the two countries. High Commissioner Masood Imad expressed confidence in the potential of the Maldives-Sri Lanka partnership and called for concerted efforts to unlock its full potential – through the creation of a conducive business environment to foster growth and prosperity for both nations.

The Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council, the 19th Bilateral Business Council under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was launched on 25th May, 2007. The need to establish the Sri Lanka – Maldives Bilateral Business Council originated following a recommendation made at the Sri Lanka – Maldives Joint Commission held in 2006. The prime objectives of the Council are promotion of trade/ investment, services, tourism and joint ventures between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives.

High Commissioner H.E Masood Imad met with General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka, at the Office of the CDS today.

            High Commissioner Masood Imad and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Silva recalled the historical and close bonds between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and the strong people to people relations between the two countries.

High Commissioner Masood Imad thanked, the Government of Sri Lanka and the armed forces for the long-standing support extended to the Maldives National Defence Force in training and capacity building. High Commissioner Masood Imad also recounted the successful training of the MNDF Special Forces, and the Bomb and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Training conducted in Maldives. Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva highlighted the decades-long training support extended to Maldives,and stated that Sri Lanka will continue to provide the necessary training support for the defence force of Maldives.

High Commissioner Masood Imad was accompanied by Fathimath Ghina, Deputy High Commissioner and Colonel Hassan Amir, Defence Advisor of the Maldives in Sri Lanka.

In the meeting, High Commissioner Masood Imad thanked the Minister, and the government of Sri Lanka, as well as the armed forces for the long-standing support extended to the Maldives National Defence Force in training and capacity building.

State Minister Tennakoon stated that Sri Lanka always stood ready to provide the required training assistance to Maldives National Defence Force. State Minister Tennakoon further stated that Sri Lanka highly valued Maldives’ role in promoting regional security and addressing common threats. Both officials also discussed the rapidly evolving security landscape, and the need for countries to work together to tackle common threats and challenges such as environmental issues and natural / manmade disasters, violent extremism and terrorism, as well as maritime issues such as illegal and unregulated fisheries.

High Commissioner Masood Imad  was accompanied by Colonel Hassan Amir, Defence Advisor of Maldives in Sri Lanka, and Ms. Aminath Warudha, Second Secretary Bilateral at the High Commission of Maldives in Sri Lanka