Sri Lanka has called for faster progress toward a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates as Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath concluded a two-day visit focused on expanding economic ties.
Herath visited the UAE from September 2 to 3 and held discussions with senior UAE officials covering investment, trade, tourism and labour cooperation.
During the visit, he met UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar and Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.
Herath also held discussions with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi during the "Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams" event in Dubai.
During those discussions, Sri Lanka expressed its interest in expediting the conclusion of the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA, between the two countries.
A CEPA has not yet been concluded, and the discussions should not be presented as a completed trade agreement.
The UAE and Sri Lanka also discussed strengthening cooperation in tourism and investment.
Separate UAE reporting said the two countries discussed deeper tourism cooperation, investment ties and travel connectivity.
During the visit, Herath also met senior executives of UAE-based EMAAR Group and invited the company to explore investment opportunities in Colombo Port City, including potential real-estate development opportunities.
This represents investment outreach, not confirmation that EMAAR has committed to or approved a Colombo Port City project.
The visit reflects efforts by Sri Lanka to deepen economic engagement with the UAE across trade, tourism, labour and investment.
Any future CEPA agreement or confirmed private investment should be reported separately when formally concluded.