Current location:Global Gallery news portal > travel
Sri Lanka to join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: president
Global Gallery news portal2024-04-30 14:23:33【travel】5People have gathered around
Introduction(Xinhua) 16:59, February 07, 2024COLOMBO, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesing
COLOMBO, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe Wednesday said his country plans to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The president said at the inauguration of the fifth session of the ninth parliament that there has been a significant turnaround in the nation's economic landscape.
Presenting his policy statement, Wickremesinghe said that despite the 1.9 percent gross domestic product (GDP) deficit in 2022, Sri Lanka achieved a surplus by the end of 2023, marking the first such occurrence since 1977.
He said the country's tax registrations have surged from 437,547 to 1,000,029 between 2022 and 2023, and inflation, which stood at 50.6 percent last year, has dramatically decreased to a mere 6.4 percent today.
Wickremesinghe also revealed that there has been a substantial increase in tourist arrivals.
From 194,495 visitors in 2021, arrivals surged to 1,487,303 in 2023, with over 200,000 tourists visiting in January this year, he said, projecting a further increase in annual tourist arrivals to 5 million in the future.
Wickremesinghe added that despite a 7.8 percent GDP contraction and six consecutive quarters of negative growth since 2022, the nation rebounded with a 1.6 percent growth rate in the third quarter of 2023.
The president said these are remarkable achievements, contrasting them with Greece's decade-long struggle to recover from economic collapse.
Despite facing similar challenges, Sri Lanka managed to accomplish significant progress in a relatively short period, he said.
Wickremesinghe also pledged the modernization of all security networks, including intelligence agencies, equipment, training methods, troops and strategic activities, to effectively address emerging challenges.
The president also proposed to fully implement the free trade agreement with Singapore and pursue similar agreements with China, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
To catalyze economic growth, the Port City of Colombo has been identified as a special financial zone, facilitating the enactment of necessary laws and ordinances for conducting international financial transactions in the region, said Wickremesinghe.
Address of this article:http://christmasisland.whetstonetavern.com/article-42a199946.html
Very good!(358)
Related articles
- Iconic arch used as Iditarod finish line collapses in Alaska
- Former PM Sir Bill English to head review of Kāinga Ora
- Shayne Carter: ‘Art has always been completely undervalued’
- 'An authentic, genuine, warm man': Flood of tributes for Fa'anānā Efeso Collins
- Mel Gibson sports an arm sling following shoulder injury as he attends a coffee meeting in Malibu
- Parliament set to resume for 2024
- Climate Change Minister says COP28 draft 'does not go far enough'
- EDITORIAL: Nissan rebuke shows preying on suppliers still exists in Japan
- Recently reinstated receiver Quintez Cephus signs a one
- US and UK navies repel largest Houthi attack on Red Sea shipping
Popular articles
Recommended
Classic Peking Opera films set for screening in Beijing
Work to begin on Nelson road badly damaged in 2022 floods
Finance Minister Nicola Willis attending Waitangi commemorations, Iwi Chairs Forum
EDITORIAL: Diet ethics panels failing to unravel the tangled LDP funding scandal
Turner hits 2 home runs, Jansen also connects as Blue Jays beat Royals 6
'Thank you Bob': Search for plane's blown
EDITORIAL: China should walk the talk with what it says on foreign policy
Auckland rail crossings to be removed ahead of City Rail Link opening
Links
- Skubal has 9 strikeouts in 6 innings, Canha and Meadows homer as Tigers beat Rays 7
- Chinese readers find new passion for scientific literature
- Matthews scores as Maple Leafs beat Bruins 3
- Israeli military intelligence chief resigns over failure to prevent Hamas attack
- US House Judiciary Committee chair seeks details from ATF on airport director shooting
- Minnesota and other Democratic
- Seattle hospital won't turn over gender
- Phillies put hot
- 'Openly Jewish' charity chief says Met boss Mark Rowley has 'failed abjectly' to stand up for Jews
- New Godzilla x Kong film tops Chinese box office