Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Sri Lanka, with residence in Islamabad, Alisher Tukhtaev, presented his credentials to the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dunyo news agency reports.

During the conversation that followed the official ceremony, the Sri Lankan leader described the appointment of Uzbekistan’s first ambassador to Colombo as a historic event that will open a new chapter in the comprehensive and stable cooperation between the two countries.

President Dissanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka regards Uzbekistan as a reliable and promising partner in Central Asia. He expressed readiness to establish strategic relations based on mutual trust, pragmatism, and respect.

The sides discussed ways to expand political dialogue, strengthen the legal framework, and intensify cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, tourism, education, logistics, and agricultural technologies. Particular attention was given to sharing experiences in economic reform, digitalization, and entrepreneurship development.

The President of Sri Lanka also highlighted the importance of establishing direct business contacts, organizing joint business forums, exhibitions, and trade missions.

In this context, he proposed considering the creation of a Joint Intergovernmental Commission to coordinate the implementation of promising initiatives.

Both sides agreed that there is significant potential for increasing bilateral trade and expanding the export-import range with competitive products.

At the end of the meeting, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake conveyed his sincere greetings and best wishes to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, expressing confidence that the strengthening of bilateral cooperation will contribute to peace, sustainable development, and prosperity of the two nations.