Foreign Minister chairs investment promotion seminar in Beijing

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing, China hosted an investment seminar on 1 November titled ‘Investing in Sri Lanka – Belt and Road Projects Seminar’ during the visit of Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana to China for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 65th anniversary of economic relations between China and Sri Lanka.

The seminar, co-organised with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), the Ambassadors’ Belt and Road Forum Committee of China and the China Association for the International Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, was attended by 170 leading Chinese enterprises in various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, real estate and IT.

During the seminar, the Minister reiterated the strong relations between China and Sri Lanka, recalling the two key anniversaries and China’s role as an important trade and investment partner of Sri Lanka.  Minister Marapana further highlighted the strong advantages Sri Lanka has as an attractive investment destination in the region and the world, in terms of its workforce, geographical location, regional and global connectivity and logistical capabilities.  

Marapana went on to invite participating companies to explore investment in Sri Lanka, building upon existing sectors such as real estate, energy, tourism and infrastructure, and moving further afield to even more dynamic sectors such as IT and export manufacturing sectors such as medical devices, IT, solar panels, automotive parts, etc.  

BOI Director General Duminda Ariyasinghe and BOI Deputy Director Vipula Jayasinghe also addressed the participants, speaking on Sri Lanka’s business environment, advantages as an investment destination, investment framework and available opportunities.

Ma Wenpu - former Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee; Li Yunyan - President of Belt and Road Ambassadors Forum Committee and Guo Yongle - Deputy Chairman of China Association for International Economic Cooperation also addressed the gathering, highlighting the strong relations between China and Sri Lanka and the opportunities available for cooperation between the two countries.  

The seminar concluded with an enthusiastic question and answer session in which company representatives engaged with the BOI in obtaining more information and further clarifications on Sri Lanka’s business and investment environment.