1. On the invitation of Hon. Martin Kuba, Minister of Industry & Trade of the Czech Republic, Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka Hon. Basil Rajapaksaa visited the Czech Republic from 27th – 31st March 2013. Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy of Sri Lanka, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, also took part in the visit.
2. The Hon. Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka paid a courtesy call on H.E. Petr Necas, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on 29th March 2013. The discussions centered on issues of mutual interest and benefit for both countries, including the strengthening of economic and political ties, cultural relations and cooperation in other important areas. Hon. Basil Rajapaksa conveyed the greetings from the Government of Sri Lanka and extended an invitation to the Czech Prime Minister to visit Colombo to further enhance the cordial relations that exist between the two countries and to provide political momentum to the joint exploration of new avenues of cooperation in areas of shared interest between the two countries. The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic thanked the Sri Lankan Minister for making it possible for the Prague Zoo to obtain two young elephants from Sri Lanka. Minister Rajapaksa indicated that the elephants were a gift from Sri Lanka for the children of the Czech Republic.
3. Minister Rajapaksa met with Minister of Industry and Trade Hon. Martin Kuba on 28thMarch 2013, followed by the opening of the first Sri Lanka-Czech Economic Forum organized by the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, at which both Ministers addressed. The two Ministers discussed prospects for enhanced trade and economic cooperation as well as opportunities for joint collaboration in the important sectors of economy of the two countries. It was highlighted that vast potential exists for investment in Sri Lanka for the Czech Republic in several areas such as infrastructure, energy, water and environment protection, food processing, sugar industry, leisure, recreation and hospitality, higher education, as well as in the vital sector of the small and medium enterprises. Minister Rajapaksa observed that there was increased potential for Czech tourists to visit the country with Sri Lanka tourism sector expanding. Both Ministers expressed their intention to conclude an agreement on mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Economic Development of Sri Lanka in order to create favourable conditions for further development of trade and economic cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The Czech side handed over a draft of an agreement to the Sir Lankan side in this regard. Minister Kuba hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Sri Lankan Minister and his delegation following the bilateral meeting.
4. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vienna, supported by ‘Sri Lanka Tourism’ had organized a Culinary and Cultural Festival from 21- 28 March 2013 in Prague. This was followed by a Sri Lanka-Czech Republic Economic Forum and business to business meetings between a 40-member delegation representing trade, investment and travel sectors of Sri Lanka and potential investors and businesspersons from the Czech Republic. A series of Sri Lankan music and dance performances, including a joint cultural show with Czech music groups took place at the Municipal House on 29 March and at the Prague Zoo on 30 March respectively. These initiatives were much appreciated as a gesture unparalleled in the bilateral relations between the two countries in recent times.
5. The Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic Hon. Tomas Chalupa met with Minister Rajapaksa on 28th March 2013, accompanied by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy. The Ministers discussed issues relating to promotion of sustainable energy and protection of the Environment and means of cooperating actively in this important arena of global concern in the relevant international fora. The two delegations discussed the possibilities of further strengthening cooperation, including in the areas of renewable energy and waste management. The Hon. Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy of Sri Lanka visited a waste recycling plant in Prague as part of his programme.
6. During the meeting between Hon. Basil Rajapaksa and Hon. Tomas Dub, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, both international and regional, and ways for enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and tourism.
7. The Minister visited the Czech Parliament and met with the Vice President Hon. Jan Hamacek and also with the President of the Senate of the Parliament Hon. Milan Štech. Their discussion centered on enhancing contacts between the legislative bodies of the two countries.. They also emphasized the need to increase people to people contact, among several other matters of bilateral importance.
8. The Hon. Minister participated at the ceremonial opening of the Sri Lanka elephant pavilion at the Prague Zoo and opened the special section with Sri Lankan stalls displaying a variety of items from tea, jewelry, ornamental fish, Ayurvedic care products, and handicrafts of Sri Lanka at the Educational Centre of the Prague Zoo. The Minister hosted a reception at the Sri Lanka Food Festival at the Hilton Prague Old Town, at which Senators and Members of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Ambassadors based in Prague, representatives of business chambers and the media, participated. During the meetings that Sri Lanka side had with the Czech side, the importance of facilitating collaboration between companies in the field of Ayurvedic matters including through investment from Sri Lankan companies in Ayurvedic Spas in the Czech Republic, was underscored.
9. Both sides agreed that there should be increased exchanges between the two countries at all levels in the future, contributing towards consolidating the outcome of this visit into long term practical programmes and projects, that are mutually beneficial to both countries. It was reiterated that time was of the essence in this regard.
Prague, March 30, 2013
