Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh Gunawardena and Ambassador of Cuba to Sri Lanka Juana Elena Ramos Rodriguez have discussed deepening cooperation between the two countries, local media citing a statement by the Foreign Ministry reported here Monday.

The two sides discussed increasing technical cooperation in industries in a meeting on Friday, the statement said, adding that Sri Lanka is to benefit from Cuban expertise on pharmaceuticals and sugar cane, while Cuba will benefit from Sri Lankan expertise on coconut development.

Sri Lanka and Cuba also agreed to enhance business ties through a memorandum of understanding signed between the chambers of commerce of the two countries.

In the field of research, Sri Lanka's Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations (LKI) and Cuba's Raul Roa Garcia Higher Institute of International Relations will carry out cooperation.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan students will continue to receive Cuban scholarships for undergraduate studies in medicine, the Foreign Ministry said.

Ambassador Rodriguez updated Minister Gunawardena on Cuba's progress in developing a COVID-19 vaccine and thanked Sri Lankan friendship groups for extending support to Cuban medical teams.