Kazakhstan President assures support for Sri Lanka’s development

The Kazakhstan President has assured the Sri Lankan President maximum support for Sri Lanka to achieve its development goals.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev gave this assurance during official discussions with President Rajapaksa who is on a three-day official tour of Kazakhstan. On arrival at the President’s Office in Kazakhstan for the official meeting, the President, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and the delegation were accorded a very warm welcome. A military guard of honour was also held. It was followed by bilateral discussions between the two Heads of State. Both leaders drew their attention to how Kazakhstan can extend support for Sri Lanka’s tourism and trade fields. They discussed further improving air flights between Almata and Colombo.
President Nazarbayev consented to adopt a strategy to induce the people of Kazakhstan to visit Sri Lanka with the intention of enhancing mutual relations between the people of Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. He also mentioned that investors from his country can be directed to further improve the trade and industrial sectors in Sri Lanka. Investors will be encouraged to launch a factory to develop the gem and mineral industries in Sri Lanka.
President Nazarbayev announced that an Exhibition will be staged to popularize Sri Lankan gems in Kazakhstan. The people of Kazakhstan are displaying a special interest in Sri Lankan tea from the past. Both leaders took cognizance of providing Sri Lankan tea to Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan President also diverted his attention to granting gas and fuel, which is mostly needed by Sri Lanka. He lauded the programmes mooted by President Rajapaksa to develop the island. He assured his country’s continued support against false allegations made by the international community on Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa mentioned that Sri Lanka would grant optimum support for Kazakhstan to hold the Export International Trade Exhibition in Astan in Kazakhstan.