Sarath Wijesinghe LL.M (London) Solicitor-Attorney-at-Law (Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates)

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ United Arab Emirate consists of seven emirates namely, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah out of which Dubai has become the hub of international trade centralizing a vibrant port and a international airport which is the platform for the Middle East and the African Sub continent.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A desert with camels 45 years ago is surpassing Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and many other upcoming tiger business hubs in the world.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Global Village is the most recent invention which commences on 10^th of November this year that will run for 111 days.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The global village received 4.4 million visitors during its forth edition last year which included crow pulling entertainment shows such as art of fire Chinese polls and human stone gold.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Since its inception in 1997 Global Village has evolved into a premier regional venue and a family destination for entertainment celebrating diverse cultures cushioned and commerce from around the world.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Global village which marks 15^th edition this year will open its doors to the cultural and entertainment extravaganza which is an opportunity for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs business community and those who are planning to invest and expect investors to take part.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lankan Government with the head of the UAE Mission is taking part at the pavilion.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Export Development Board and many other Government statutory enterprises and private business establishments from Sri Lanka are taking part at this historic event.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The business community in Sri Lanka could communicate with Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate in Dubai with the following telephone numbers and emails or directly communicate with the global village via internet .(www.globalvillage.com)

Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” 00971-2-6316444, email: lankemb@emirates.net.aeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka Consulate in Dubai 00971-4-3986535, condubai@slcgdxb.ae

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Sri Lankan Embassy in the UAE will launch the next newsletter with the motto ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Tourism and Investment PromotionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ as theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  theme.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Global village shouldƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  be made use of as a vehicle for the promotion of tourism,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Investment promotion and employment promotion.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We are not shy to learn from others and ourƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  mistakes and omissions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The natural resources in the UAE is well invested and Abu Dhabi is the richest town in the world and UAE is the fifth richest in the Globe.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They have oil and the desert.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We have the natural beauty, environment and the most beautiful paradise which is wealthier than oil if properly made use of.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Today we depend on the sweat of our expatriates for ourƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  livelihood as the main income earner.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Given the opportunity and if we work hard we will be able to make tourism number one income of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The time is right and the opportunity is available and this is the best opportunity to be grabbed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The tourism is booming, stock market is rising, Sri Lanka is the most powerful government in Asia.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka is most stable and safe even than the United Kingdom which is not a safe place any longer.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore it is time for the business community, the peoples of Sri Lanka to work hand in hand with the expatriates, global community, and Sri Lanka Missions distributed all over the worldƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  to achieve the target of becoming the wonder of Asia using ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Mahinda ChintanaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ as theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  vehicle.