Reforms and growth prospects set for analysis in Sri Lanka 2017 report

Tuesday, 28 February 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s efforts to attract new investment by enhancing its regulatory and legislative landscape will be given in-depth analysis in a forthcoming report by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).

The Report: Sri Lanka 2017 will shine a spotlight on the country’s wide-ranging economic reform program, which is now gathering momentum.

Topics to be explored include the government’s plans to adopt public-private partnership models as a means of overhauling key state-owned enterprises, notably those operating in the tourism, financial and utilities sectors.

OBG’s publication will also examine the policies and plans that are driving Sri Lanka’s bid to broaden its investor base and attract the funds needed to help the country reach its growth goals. The national bid to broaden Sri Lanka’s range of trading partners will be another focus.

While Sri Lanka is expected to record another year of moderate growth in 2017, the country’s deficit remains a cause of concern. The Report: Sri Lanka 2017 will map out the government’s plans for narrowing the gap through a raft of tax increases. It will also consider the impact that these and initiatives aimed at reining in spending could have on the country’s expansion plans.

John Wilson Partners, Attorneys-at-Law & Notaries Public has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with OBG for the firm’s 2017 report on the country. Under the MOU, JWP will team up with OBG to compile and produce the Law Chapter of The Report: Sri Lanka 2017.

The law firm’s managing proprietor, John Wilson, said he looked forward to working with OBG’s team once again and bringing readers up to date on Sri Lanka’s evolving laws and regulations.

“Oxford Business Group’s 2016 report on Sri Lanka was well received by our clients, who, in feedback, described it as a highly useful and comprehensive reference guide to the country, the sectors of its economy and its investment climate,” he said. “For this reason, we decided to contribute to the legal chapter for a second consecutive year.”

Geoffrey Cooke, OBG’s editorial manager in Sri Lanka, said JWP’s contribution to the group’s research was particularly welcome, given the raft of new openings emerging in the country.

“While the government’s efforts to rein in spending and raise revenue are inevitably producing challenges, Sri Lanka’s reforms come against a backdrop of moderate growth and key funding support,” he said. “John Wilson Partners has an in-depth understanding of the country’s legal environment from both a domestic and regional perspective. I’m delighted that our team will benefit from its input as we begin work on this important report.”

The Report: Sri Lanka 2017 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The publication will also contain contributions from leading representatives, including President Maithripala Sirisena, Renil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s prime minister, and Ban Ki-moon, former UN secretary-general. It will be available in print and online.