The second day of the bilateral visit of Foreign Minister Bogollagama to Egypt began with the signing of a MOU between the two Governments on Tourism Cooperation. The signing ceremony was preceded by a Meeting between the Foreign Minister and Zoheir Garranah, the Minister of Tourism of Egypt. 

The two Ministers agreed that there was a need to develop new tourism products and diversify the existing product base, including the construction of facilities to host international conferences, events, seminars and workshops. The manner in which to cater to the needs of tourists and provide a higher quality service was seen by the two Ministers as being of importance for the future development of the tourism industry. In order for connectivity among Asia, Middle East and Africa to improve the enhancement of air links was seen as crucial. The two Ministers also discussed the threat factor posed by terrorism which could impact on the Tourism sector.

The Ministers agreed that there was a compelling need to arrest such threat factors in order to protect this vital industry.The MOU that was signed provided for the establishment of a Joint Tourism Committee to address issues related to human resource development and training, exchange of information and experts in the field of tourism investment, participation in tourism fairs and exhibitions, and encouraging the provision of preferential rates for both countries in order to boost tourism. A notable feature was also the provision to involve the Private Sector in the Joint Tourism Committee Meetings.    

At the signing ceremony, Minister Garranah stated that this MOU would pave the way for greater engagement between the tourism sectors of the two countries, thus being of mutual benefit. Foreign Minister Bogollama in his address at the ceremony, referred to the historical links that exist between Egypt and Sri Lanka and the close cooperation between the two countries in international fora including in the Non Aligned Movement. He added that such close ties could get translated in to enhancing cooperation in the Tourism sector.   

Minister Bogollama referred to the vigour and dynamism infused by Milinda Moragoda, the Minister of Tourism of Sri Lanka in developing this sector and informed that the Tourism Minister would visit Egypt in the near future to expand on the ties that have already been established.

The Foreign Minister extended an invitation to the Minister of Tourism of Egypt to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time.   A delegation including senior corporate leaders such as Prema Cooray, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Harry Jayawardena, Chairman/Aitken Spence & Co. Ltd., Sicille P. C. Kotelawala, Deputy Chairperson, Ceylinco Consolidated and Chris Nonis, Chairman, Mackwoods Ltd. were present at this ceremony. Government representatives that were present included Ibrahim Ansar, Ambassador of Sri Lanka for Egypt, Leslie Tissera, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo

07 April, 2008