Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka Rishad Bathiudeen has paid a courtesy call President Mohamed Nasheed today.

At the meeting held at the President’s Office, the President underlined that peace in Sri Lanka was also in the best interest of the Maldives. He noted that the Maldives wanted to increase engagements with Sri Lanka on including trade and investment.

Sri Lankan Industry Minister Bathiudeen expressed the Sri Lankan government’s gratitude for the Maldivian government’s continued support for the Maldives.

In addition, the President and the Minister discussed avenues to promote trade collaboration between both countries, especially exploring ways to increase cooperation in fisheries.

The meeting was attended by Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem and Minister of State for Economic Development Ahmed Mujuthaba.