Sri Lanka, July 30 -- Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe last Tuesday urged Sri Lanka and the Maldives to strengthen their economic partnership by expanding cooperation beyond traditional trade, highlighting significant untapped potential for closer collaboration between the two Indian Ocean neighbours.

Addressing the 18th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council in Colombo, the Minister said institutions such as the Business Council have become increasingly important at a time when the global economy continues to face numerous challenges.

"Calling for a new chapter in bilateral economic relations, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development...