US TOP COMMERCE DELEGATION TO SL

A team of officials from the US Department of Commerce would arrive in the country later this month to hold talks on the proposed Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), an official said yesterday.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Harsha De Silva said Assistant Secretary of State for Commerce Arun Kumar, Assistant US trade Representative for South and Central Asia Michael Delaney would be included in this team.

He said a senior official from the Exim Bank may also take part in the negotiations next month.

Dr. De Silva who is currently in USA had on Tuesday said in a Twitter message that he had discussed the visit with senior officials in that country.

“I had a full day of fruitful meetings with several senior officials of the US Government and Millennium Challenge Corporation along with our Ambassador in US Prasad Kariyawasam. I discussed both achievements and challenges

I had a full day of fruitful meetings with several senior officials of the US Government and Millennium Challenge Corporation along with our Ambassador in US Prasad Kariyawasam.

before our Government in both reconciliation, development and highlighted the need for greater trade and investment between the two countries.

“We paid particular attention on the upcoming visit of top officials from US Department of Commerce and US trade representatives later this month on TIFA talks which is a platform for greater economic integration between US and Sri Lanka,” the Deputy Minister said in his message.

“I sense steady movement in this direction. It is always better to take time and get it right than rushing in. Also it is investment dollars we need as it is not easy to get loans,” he added in the message.

His meeting were with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski, Assistant Secretary of State for Commerce Arun Kumar and Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Michael Delaney, Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy and Programs William Craft and Deputy Vice President of Millennium Challenge Corporation Thomas Kelly.