CAPTION: Fiji’s High Commissioner to India Yogesh J Karan presenting credentials to the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa as Fiji’s non-resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
Fiji and Sri Lanka strengthened its bilateral relationship when Fiji’s High Commissioner to India, Yogesh Karan, presented his credentials to the President of Sri Lanka.
He will be Fiji’s first High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
The ceremony for the presentation of credentials was conducted through a motorcade to the Presidential Secretariat and the official ceremony was held in the President’s office in Colombo.
The President, His Excellency, Mahinda Rajapaksa in accepting Commissioner Karan as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, said that both countries could work together to further strengthen its diplomatic relations.
Mr Karan conveyed Fiji’s message on behalf of the President and said that Fiji was keen to work closely with Sri Lanka since the two countries had many similarities to enhance trade and economic activities.
Later, the High Commissioner met the Minister for External Affairs, Professor G. L. Peiris and discussed on exchanging trade missions and deployment of expertise in prioritised areas of development.
Mr Karan also said that Fiji might participate in the international trade seminar in Colombo in November since Sri Lanka was a growing economy.
Climate change and the possibility of securing scholarships in maritime studies, agriculture and medicine were also discussed with the minister.
High Commissioner Karan also had meetings with top leaders of the private sector and discussed on the investment opportunities available in Fiji.
He mentioned that economic power was shifting to Asia and Fiji needed to capitalise on such opportunities competitively.
He invited Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to invest in Fiji because the Government has provided attractive incentives for investments.
Mr Karan further explained that Fiji was open for foreign investments and had efficient systems in place for business registrations.
MINFO