The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka, pledging support across key sectors including energy, tourism, foreign investment, and employment during an official high-level visit.
UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, accompanied by a senior delegation, met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other top officials during his visit to Colombo this week. The visit follows President Dissanayake’s official trip to the UAE in February 2025.
According to the Sri Lanka President’s Media Division (PMD), the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the primary aim of his visit was to deepen the strong and long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries, with a focus on unlocking mutual economic benefits.
Extending his best wishes to Sri Lanka’s new administration, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed assured full UAE support for the government’s ambitious development agenda. President Dissanayake, in turn, underscored that Sri Lanka has established an investment-friendly environment underpinned by robust legal protections, vowing to prevent any recurrence of instability that could deter future investment.
The President outlined key investment opportunities in port terminal development, the Colombo Port City project, the tourism sector, energy, and transportation. He also briefed the UAE delegation on Sri Lanka’s progress in debt restructuring and economic stabilization efforts, stressing the government’s goal of positioning Sri Lanka as the region’s leading investment hub and a premier tourist destination.
During separate discussions with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, the two sides explored expanding economic ties, investment avenues for UAE entrepreneurs, and boosting bilateral trade. Minister Herath extended an open invitation to UAE businesses, highlighting opportunities in sectors such as power and energy, pharmaceuticals, information technology, textiles, and tourism.
Sheikh Abdullah also expressed a strong interest in enhancing cooperation in energy, tourism, and the food sector, while discussions also touched on creating more employment opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals and semi-skilled workers in the UAE.
A significant milestone during the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka. The MoU establishes the UAE–Sri Lanka Joint Business Council, aimed at fostering greater collaboration between the business communities of both nations.
Sheikh Abdullah further welcomed the signing of a trilateral MoU on developing Trincomalee as an energy hub, marking a new chapter of cooperation among the participating countries.