Big draw for NWS Holdings’ Sri Lanka Investor Forum in Tokyo on Monday

The Sri Lanka Investor Forum organised by NWS Holdings Ltd., in Tokyo, Japan on Monday has drawn widespread interest, with record investor participation.

This is the sixth road show and investor forum organised by NWS Holdings, but this year, the response has been overwhelming thanks to support from the Japanese officials as well as Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan.

“We are expecting around 300 Japanese investors who have actually invested in Lankan Government securities (Treasury Bonds) and keen to enhance their portfolio as well as those who have made direct investments. Additionally several prospective investors will be present to hear new opportunities in Sri Lanka,” NWS Holdings Group Managing Director Viraj Malawana said.

NWS Holdings has succeeded in attracting around Rs. 45 billion Japanese investments into Sri Lankan Treasury Bonds whilst more recently it attracted a Japanese investment on a $ 15 million fixed deposit in a Sri Lankan commercial bank. It also facilitated Japan SG Holdings acquisition of 51% Expolanka Holdings Plc for Rs. 11.5 billion last year.

“We see Japanese investor appetite for Sri Lanka growing further,” Malawana added. 

The Investor Forum also coincides with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official visit to Japan over the weekend.

 Being the first overseas visit by the Premier after the customary courtesy call to India, Japan is under spotlight and Wickremesinghe’s visit is expected to bolster Japanese Government and corporate sector support. 

A significant development is that Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will deliver the keynote address at the NWS Holdings Forum. 

Next Monday’s forum is held in association with Japan’s Bansei Group and partnership with SriLankan Airlines and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, for the first time.

Tourism Minister John Amaratunga will attend the forum and outline the new Government’s economic development vision and policy to attract foreign investors.

Promoting Sri Lanka at the forum will be the former Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Nobuhito Hobo as well and Consul General for Sri Lanka in Osaka Udaya Aluthgamage. Existing investors in Sri Lanka, NWS Holdings Chairman Takashi Igarashi and Bansei Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan President Toyohiko Murakami, will address the forum as well. 

Given the growing interest, NWS will also collect a database of Japanese parties who have shown serious interest in making connections with various sectors in Sri Lanka. “Unlike in the past, this year we have expanded the scope and sectors to be promoted at the forum. These include tourism, real estate, property and construction, manufacturing and ICT apart from financial services and capital markets,” Malawana added.

Nearly 10 Sri Lankan companies are attending the forum as well as making presentations. They include Just In Time Group, Jetwing, Altair, Micro Holdings and Spa Ceylon.

SriLankan Airlines and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau will also extensively woo Japanese tourists whilst the National Carrier is offering free tickets via a draw at the forum as well.