COLOMBO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka and the Maldives will enter into new treaties to increase economic cooperation, a statement from the prime minister's office said on Thursday.
Visiting Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena here on Thursday and exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in existing areas and exploring new exchanges, particularly in trade, investment, education and culture, according to the statement.
Zameer said his country is very keen to expand relations with Sri Lanka and the proposed bilateral treaties and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) would help to further strengthen economic cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
It is proposed to sign an investment protection treaty, double tax avoidance agreement and to facilitate remittances by Sri Lankans employed in the Maldives who receive payment in Maldivian currency and to facilitate Maldivian students and medical tourists to make payments in Sri Lanka, the statement said.
The statement said the Maldives sought to recruit Sri Lankan teachers and doctors and requested the Sri Lankan prime minister to consider a government-to-government agreement for it.
The prime minister said he would extend the fullest cooperation to implement all the suggestions made by the Maldivian side, and stressed the need to enhance cooperation in tourism and energy sector, especially solar and wind power. ■
