Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber, and P.D.P.S.A. Liyanage, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar, with other officials during the oil lamp lighting at the “Employment Promotion in Qatar” event held at the Sheraton Grand Doha
Doha: The potential of more employment for Sri Lankan skilled-workers in Qatar and bilateral investment opportunities was highlighted during an event held here recently.
“Employment Promotion in Qatar”, was organised by Embassy of Sri Lanka in collaboration with Qatar Chamber at the Sheraton Hotel.
The event discussed possibility to increase number of skilled workers here.
“The relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka reflected in the presence of a large number of Sri Lankan expatriates contributing to the development of Qatar,” said Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari, Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber.
“Qatar Chamber highly welcomes more skilled workers and employees from Sri Lanka to work in the mega projects being implemented for developing the infrastructure and for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. I would also like to take this opportunity to call on Qatari businessmen to give more jobs to skilled Sri Lankans in their businesses,” he added. Al Kuwari also stressed the need for more space for trade and investment opportunities between Qatar and Sri Lanka.
“For Qatar, Sri Lanka is a strategic partner in South Asia. Both the countries have signed various agreements and memorandum of understandings to enhance economic relations, but what has been achieved so far does not reflect the potential both the countries have. Their trade volume reached $73m last year which doesn’t correspond to vast opportunities available in both countries,” he said.
At present, about 210 Sri Lankan companies are operating in Qatar with a capital of around QR45.5m.
“On behalf of Qatar Chamber, I would like to invite more Sri Lankan companies to take part in renaissance taking place in Qatar and establish joint ventures with Qataris in all sectors. We also urge Qatari businessmen to explore the investment opportunities galore in Sri Lanka and establish business partnerships and alliances with their Sri Lankan counterparts,” said Al Kuwari.
ASP Liyanage, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar; Fawaz Mohammed Al Rayes, Director of Employment Department, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs; DDP. Senanayake, Deputy General Manager (Marketing & Recruitment) of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and licensed foreign employment agents of Sri Lanka and several other officials also attended the event.
On behalf of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, a sole government entity in charge of foreign employment-related issues, Senanayake made a presentation on the potential labour force in their country.
He highlighted several sectors including hospitality, nursing, and carpentry. Senanayake also focused that Sri Lanka is leading in South Eastern countries in human development index, with educational achievements and a literacy rate of 90.7 percent.
The country provides free education from primary to university level. He also said the higher number of technical colleges too are playing a major role in supporting to develop their skills.
