I visited the Expo Dubai 2020, which was a great opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase what the island country has to offer to the world
Sri Lanka, like other countries across the globe has faced much since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic which took the world by a sudden storm.
It is now exactly a year since the country detected its first local coronavirus case which led to borders being sealed and eventually countrywide curfews being imposed. Businesses and livelihoods came to a standstill. Schools closed down and resources became scarce.
Today, a year later, this nation is on a path to recovery. A mass scale vaccination program is underway in the Western Province which is the epicenter of the virus and Sri Lanka has secured enough vaccines to inoculate the elderly. And finally, the number of cases, after several months, is on a declining trend. Ofcourse the path to complete recovery is long but the initial steps have already been taken by the government.
Keeping this in mind, I undertook a visit to Dubai last week to witness the ‘Expo 2020’ which is an incredible platform launched by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for countries to connect and promote trade, tourism, etc. While several nations represented themselves, Sri Lanka too was in the forefront, promoting what the island country has to offer to the world.
Sri Lanka was listed as a country of ‘opportunity’ at the Expo while the overall theme of the Expo was “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and the sub-themes were Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity. The Expo gave Sri Lankan businesses a great opportunity to show off the country to the world and clinch opportunities of business and investments. Some of the sectors which were present at the Dubai Expo 2020 was Sri Lanka Tourism, gem and jewellery and our very own luxurious Ceylon Tea.
In the days I was in Dubai, I met the rulers of the UAE and also the ruling family and exchanged ideas of opportunity which can be established between the UAE and Sri Lanka. It was much appreciated to note that the rulers of the Kingdom well appreciated the contribution made by the Sri Lankan labor force towards the UAE economy while the Sri Lankan government reciprocated in the same manner as the labor force are the largest foreign exchange earners for the local economy.
Some of the cities I visited was Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah where the warmth my delegation and I received was much appreciated. In the discussions I held there with the rulers and government organizations, much was discussed on how both countries could improve bilateral trade as well as further strengthen our relations.
I also held discussions with the business community in the UAE and the consumer chains their who are willing to expand their businesses with the local market where they connect with the Sri Lankan farmers to purchase fruits and vegetables to sell in their chains in the UAE. They did raise concerns on the consistency of the supply chain but I assured that I will be discussing this with the relevant subject ministers here where we can go ahead with this proposal for the benefit of our farmers and economy. I also held extensive discussions with UAE based global organizations who are willing to invest in Sri Lanka, in sectors such as real estate, hospitality, industries and logistics, to name a few. Some of the big brands saw great potential in the Sri Lankan market and now discussions will further continue to invite them here for investments.
Further I also held discussions with the Sri Lankan workers who are presently in the UAE, awaiting repatriation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I listened to their concerns and also held discussions with the Sri Lankan missions in the respective cities I visited. What I learnt is that the majority of them are individuals who travelled there recently, through travel agents who have sent them on tourist visas and not obtained the required work permits. And once having reached their, the travel agents lost contact with the workers who were then left stranded without accommodation or employment. These locals, desperately seeking help then visited the local missions who also then face a complicated situation as these individuals then fall under the category of illegal immigrants.
After discussing the matter in length with those stranded and the local missions, it is evident that the system needs to be regulated and the travel agencies need to be monitored so that our locals do not travel to foreign soils and then suffer. In the days ahead I will be discussing this matter in length with the subject ministers concerned in order to avoid our local workforce from facing hardships.
Further another matter which was also brought to my attention is that presently a Sri Lankan citizen, whose passport expires while in the UAE has to wait for 4 to 6 months till their passports are renewed. This leads to most of them being terminated from their places of employment due to having their passports expired as the duration for renewal is too lenghty. I discussed the matter with the local missions and State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya upon my return back to Sri Lanka and the matter is being worked upon where the duration of renewing the passports could be cut to a period of maximum two weeks. Presently workers from India and Pakistan can renew their passports in a maximum 4 days in their missions and Sri Lanka too urgently needs to implement this policy soon.
Upon my arrival back to the country, I have also briefed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on the concerns raised by those awaiting expatriation and the vast opportunities the government can pursue with the UAE government. We hope to expand our bilateral trade in the months to come.
Further another matter which was raised locally was if I would be home quarantined upon my return to Sri Lanka from Dubai amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Although I travelled under a strict travel bubble, I decided to follow the strict health guidelines and quarantine myself away from home, not putting my wife and child at risk. I wish to make it clear that while I may be a part of this government I am also a responsible citizen of this country and will not inconvenience the health authorities in any way.
In the days and months to come Sri Lanka has a massive task of getting this country’s economy back on track. We have always come out stronger and I am confident achieving our goals for the nation is not too far away.
Stay safe everyone.
