Lanka-austria focus on strengthening bilateral ties

The growth of bilateral trade between the two countries despite the economic recession in Europe and the steady increase in direct foreign investment from Austria augur well for the future relations between Sri Lanka and Austria, External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris said.

He was speaking during a meeting on Tuesday with Dr. Michael Spindelegger, Vice Chancellor (Deputy Prime Minster) and Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria, at the Foreign Ministry in Vienna. The Ministers noted that Austrian companies were showing increasing interest in bidding for major infrastructure development projects, while others had already undertaken construction projects in Sri Lanka, including the Greater Colombo sewerage system rehabilitation project.

The Government of Sri Lanka has concluded negotiations with Austria on several major development projects including the supply of railway steel bridges and auxiliary supplies and services, construction of the Kochchikade bridge, enhancement of facilities at the Advanced Technical Institute in Kandy and the provision of protective fences at railway crossings.

The Ministers agreed that it was timely to focus on strengthening economic ties, taking advantage of the stable and peaceful environment for increased trade. Minister Spindelegger welcomed the initiative by Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Vienna, in association with the Export Development Board, to arrange a visit by a trade delegation to Austria this year, as a follow up to the visit by a business delegation from Austria to Sri Lanka in June 2011.