Minister Bathiudeen was sworn in before 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.
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.
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.
