(NewsRadio); Italy has assured that it will always stand by Sri Lanka during trying times.
During a meeting with State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe, Deputy Finance Minister of Italy Prof. Maurizio Leo has stressed on the long standing relationship between Italy and Sri Lanka and has assured that Italy will always stand by Sri Lanka for a speedy recovery of the economic crisis.
State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said he also pledged to take all steps to strengthen the tourism industry and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka in the areas of manufacturing pharmaceutical products and renewable energy.
Meanwhile, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has also engaged in fruitful bilateral discussions with the President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario.
Lario has expressed satisfaction regarding the ongoing projects in Sri Lanka despite the challenges the country is currently facing.
State Minister Semasinghe said the IFAD will extend further technical assistance to minimise the post harvest losses and to work on active youth and women engagement in agriculture modernisation programmes in Sri Lanka.
The State Minister added that a request by Sri Lanka will be positively considered at the next country strategic policy and the IFAD ensured continued support towards the development of the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka.
