Colombo, Feb 21 (NIA) – Norway, on Tuesday said it was ready to invest on the Sri Lankan ports as Norway had good knowledge and expertise on the marine industry.
Norway’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Thorbjorn Gaustadsaether said Norway could not do huge investment like China or India but it could provide advanced technology in several areas.
“We have advanced technology to control the environmental pollution caused by the emissions from the vessels. Norway has a very good exposure to energy, transport and terminals. We could do investments on these sectors of Sri Lankan ports,” the Norwegian envoy said.
Gaustadsaether added that Sri Lanka was well placed geographically and it could develop itself to be a very interesting spot for the maritime industry.
“Norwegian ship owners and the Norwegian maritime industry are aware of Sri Lanka. Norway ships have been sailing here for more than hundred years. Since 19th century they have been sailing to Asia including Sri Lanka. Norwegian ships are following the Sri Lankan marine industry very closely. They have noted that Sri Lanka wants to have developed harbors between Singapore and Dubai,” the envoy said.
Norway said it was important that Sri Lanka focuses its attention on developing its ports. He added that there will also be opportunities also for Sri Lankans to be recruited by Norwegian ships.