Qatar to assist Sri Lanka in sustainable energy production

The State of Qatar has expressed its commitment to assist Sri Lanka in developing a dependable network for sustainable energy generation, and a syndicate of top-notch energy sector companies will join the initiative. This promise made by Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs, when he called for President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

The Qatari minister, praising President Rajapaksa on his recent election victory, also called for the appointment of a Sri Lankan side special envoy to further negotiate the implementation of the proposal. In response to Minister Al Kaabi, President Rajapaksa said he was very interested in getting help from Qatar to generate energy.

It that 80% of the future energy needs of the country will be met with renewable energy, the President said, enhancing that he would appoint Secretary to President Dr. PB Jayasundara as the Government of Sri Lanka's representative.

The Minister visiting also invited the Secretary of the President to visit Doha to look into related matters. During the visit, Sri Lanka's electricity generation program will discuss. He said the State of Qatar projects in Pakistan and Poland successfully implemented.

President Rajapaksa mentioned that Sri Lanka hopes to strengthen further bilateral relations with Qatar that go beyond the generation of energy. "We need our tea, vegetables, mainly organic vegetables, and fruits to market. Sri Lanka has a very high potential to deliver these goods to other countries, "said President Rajapaksa.

In a positive response, Qatar's minister of state said his visit to Sri Lanka would be the first step in such a relationship. Also present at the conversation were Ministers Dinesh Gunawardane and Susil Premajayantha, Qatar ambassador to Sri Lanka Jassim bin Jaber Al-Sorour and presidential advisor Lalith Weeratunga.

OSL Take: The government of Sri Lanka is continuously exploring solutions to address the rapidly increasing demand for electricity. The government is also focusing on sustainable energy generation methods. Therefore, Sri Lanka’s power and energy sector is a hotbed for business/investment opportunities. Further in last year, the Net Zero Carbon status achieved by a Sri Lankan apparel factory indicates the technologically advanced state as well as the eco-friendliness of local manufacturers.

Sri Lankan industries, especially the apparel sector, are keen on making their carbon footprint zero and have taken many initiatives to promote the concept. Qatar businesses involved in introducing zero-carbon technologies could explore the many business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s industrial sector. Such technologies could be upgraded and added to other economic areas in Sri Lanka as well.

VBS/AT/20200306/Z_TB1