Cuba and Sri Lanka inaugurated the first Session of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission for Economic and Scientific-Technique Collaboration on December 15 to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

First Deputy Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Collaboration Ripoll Diaz, heading Cuban delegation, recalled that this encounter takes place in the middle of a delicate international situation.

Those most affected by the current global financial crisis will be the poor people, the official said.

The delegation from Sri Lanka is led Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hussein Bhaila, accompanied by the Ministers of National Promotion and Hydraulic Resources Jagath Pushpakumara and Mahinda Amaraweera, respectively.

The objectives of this meeting, as expressed by Diaz, are the promotion of the commercial exchange, and particularly exports of biotechnological products to the Asian island.

In addition, the control of tropical diseases, technological transference towards Cuba in matters related to exploit coco industry´s potentials, and the exchange of experiences in the prevention of natural disasters.