Dubai: Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai. The agreement outlines mutually beneficial initiatives that will help revive the country’s trade and tourism industry.

The MoU was signed by Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial West Asia and Indian Ocean, and Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Tourism, Sri Lanka, Malraj De Silva, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, and Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, International Affairs.

Under the agreement, Emirates and Sri Lanka Tourism will benefit from joint activities that will help enhance trade and tourism, including trade shows, trade familiarisation trips, exhibitions, and workshops.

Since the nation safely re-opened to international tourists in February 2021, Emirates has carried more than 80,000 passengers to Colombo. The airline currently operates 28 weekly flights to Colombo and is the only international carrier to serve the country with First Class services.