In a significant stride towards bolstering bilateral relations, Sri Lanka and Thailand are poised to ink a landmark aviation services agreement during the anticipated visit of Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, to Colombo.
Following the green light granted by the Cabinet of Ministers in June 2018, the groundwork for the bilateral aviation services agreement has been diligently pursued, with approvals secured from key stakeholders including the Attorney General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The latest nod came from the Sri Lankan Cabinet, which endorsed the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Services.
Prime Minister Thavisin's imminent two-day official visit, scheduled from 03 to 04 February 2024, holds strategic significance. Invited by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Thavisin will grace the ceremony commemorating Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Anniversary as the Guest of Honour.
During his stay, Prime Minister Thavisin is slated to engage in substantive discussions with President Wickremesinghe, underlining the commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation. The highlight of the visit will be the signing of the historic Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA), a move poised to elevate economic ties between the two nations.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SLTFTA signing ceremony will witness the participation of Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, alongside Nalin Fernando, Sri Lanka's Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security. The agreement is anticipated to invigorate trade and investment flows, fostering greater economic integration between Sri Lanka and ASEAN economies.
As both nations prepare to embark on this momentous journey of collaboration, the impending agreements signify a shared commitment towards mutual prosperity and regional stability.
