President tells BOA Asia Forum to consider Sri Lanka as an investment destination

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday called on the Boao Forum for Asia member states to make Sri Lanka a destination appropriate for investments.

The Government aims to expand export-oriented investment opportunities that are beneficial for the country's economy. President Rajapaksa urges the heads of states to encourage potential investors in their respective countries to capitalize on export-oriented businesses and industries in Sri Lanka.

The President shared these views addressing the Boao Forum for Asia held in Boao, Hainan, China via video conferencing.

This year’s theme for the Boao Forum for Asia is ‘A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation’. Yesterday was the third day of the four-day conference series which began on 18 April.

Headquartered in China, the Boao Forum for Asia is an international organization jointly initiated by 29 member states. The Forum is committed to ensure peace, prosperity and sustainable development not only in Asia but in the other parts of the world as well.

Leaders of 15 countries including New Zealand, Mongolia, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia addressed the conference via video conferencing today.

President Rajapaksa said that an attractive policy for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), including a favourable tax structure and other incentives, is being formulated in the country. The Sri Lankan Government expects the contribution and the assistance of international partners to achieve these goals. 

The President highlighted that the Government's aim is to achieve a significant progress in the economy during the next few years.

In his address, President Rajapaksa also commended the central role played by the People’s Republic of China in the Boao Forum for Asia while reminiscing on the centuries of rich history, strong strategic collaborative partnership based on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation Sri Lanka and China share.

Sri Lanka maintains a clear and vibrant foreign policy that seeks enhanced cooperation with all friendly nations, and in particular, its Asian neighbours, on equal and non-aligned terms. 

“These principles are enshrined in our development policy framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’” President Rajapaksa said.

“Maintaining a fair balance between national policies and international shared policies, norms and rules are essential. The sovereignty of independent states should in no way be undermined in maintaining this balance,” he added.