Rishad Returns !

Rishad Bathiudeen MP has triumphantly returned to serve the country once again as the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka -and the country’s private sector promptly hailed his return on 12 January. “I, Rishad Bathiudeen solemnly declare and affirm that I will faithfully perform the duties and discharge the functions of office of Minister of Industry and Commerce” said Minister Bathiudeen on 12 January.

Minister Bathiudeen was swearing in before (HE) the President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo on the eve of 12 January on the occasion of swearing in of the new Cabinet of Sri Lanka.

“I, Abdul Rishad Bathiudeen, solemnly declare and affirm that I will faithfully perform the duties and discharge the functions of office of the Minister of Industry and Commerce according to the constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. I will be faithful to the Republic of Sri Lanka and will do the best of my ability to uphold and defend the constitution of Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka” declared Minister Bathiudeen, swearing in on the eve of 12 January before (HE) the President Maithripala Sirisena.

Minister Bathiudeen championed the portfolio of Industry and Commerce from 2011 to 22 December2014. Since taking over of the portfolio in 2011, as the Commerce Minister in charge of international trade of Sri Lanka, he was in the forefront in representing the country in many global, multilateral and regional foras. In August 2013 Minister Bathiudeen also took over the Chairmanship of the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Ministerial Council, bringing regional glory to the country.  Minister Bathiudeen was also instrumental in enlisting the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to secure copyright, patents and Geographical Indicators for Sri Lanka’s designs, creations and export product-lines i.e. Pure Ceylon Cinnamon, Pure Ceylon Tea, and in progress is an initiative to ensure Geographical Indicators for Ceylon Blue Sapphires. Under his guidance, Sri Lanka’s exports saw steady growth, reporting record performance in October 2013.

Repos of Sri Lanka’s Private sector, specially industrialists and exporters, hailed Minister Bathiudeen’s return on 12 January eve. “We are most glad to welcome Minister Bathiudeen back to the domain and the fold” said a highly pleased Tuly Cooray, the Secretary General of the country’s powerful Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), upon learning about Minister Bathiudeen’s return. “We are now ready to move forward faster” he added.