Malik backs BOI Board

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama yesterday issued a statement backing the Directors of the Board of Investment. 

In a statement he said some news reports yesterday and today, quoting Presidential Media sources, casting aspersions on the conduct of the Board of Directors of the Board of Investment were irresponsible and factually incorrect. 

“I categorically reject these baseless allegations made in those news items. I can state with all confidence that the Board of Directors of the BOI is comprised of highly respected professionals, who functioned with the utmost responsibility and integrity. The Board is comprised of honourable people who seek to bring back professionalism into the institution and guide the country’s’ investment facilitation and promotion activities.” 

“From all reports I have received, the staff of the institution as well as genuine investors have appreciated their professional conduct. Thanks to the investment policies of the Government and the efforts of the Board, the value of the projects approved in 2018 exceeds $ 18 billion. Realised FDI inflows in 2017 were also a record $ 1.9 billion. Misleading media reports will erode investor sentiment at a time when much progress is being achieved,” Samarawickrama added.