UAE and Sri Lanka: Strengthening relationships, enabling opportunities

• The Sri Lanka Business Council UAE convenes an exclusive forum tomorrow as two nations reaffirm a partnership built on trust, shared prosperity and mutual opportunity

The Sri Lanka Business Council UAE (SLBC UAE) will host an exclusive networking, presentation and dinner forum on 11 June 2026 at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, bringing together business leaders, investors, policymakers and professionals committed to strengthening economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.

The theme of the event, “Strengthening Relationships • Enabling Opportunities,” reflects the Council’s mandate to foster bilateral trade, investment and long-term economic cooperation between the two nations — a mandate it carries out under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, whose institutional support and recognition the Council holds in the highest regard.

UAE: A model the world studies

Speaking ahead of the event, Sri Lanka Business Council UAE Chairman Suren Swaminathan reflected on what the UAE represents not only to the region but to every nation that aspires to transform itself through vision and sound governance.

“For over five decades, the UAE has consistently demonstrated that with visionary leadership, sound policies and an unwavering commitment to innovation, a nation can transform itself into a global economic powerhouse. The UAE has not merely adapted to changing global conditions; it has repeatedly turned challenges into opportunities.”

Swaminathan noted that one of the UAE’s greatest and most enduring achievements has been its ability to create a society where more than 200 nationalities live and work together in harmony — a model of inclusive prosperity that few nations have matched.

“The UAE has shown the world how diversity can be embraced as a strength. It respects talent, rewards entrepreneurship and provides a stable ecosystem where businesses can thrive. This culture of inclusiveness, efficiency and opportunity is one of the key reasons for its continued success.”

An idea from a trusted voice

The forum traces its origins to a timely suggestion by Eminent Senior Advisor to the Board and former Sri Lanka Business Council UAE Chairman Farook Kassim — a figure whose decades of service to the Sri Lankan business community in the UAE command deep respect.

When it became known that Presidential Special Envoy for Foreign Investment and Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof would be visiting Dubai in connection with the Port City Colombo investment promotion program, it was Kassim who recognised the broader opportunity.

“He suggested that the Business Council should seize the opportunity to organise a broader platform highlighting investment opportunities across Sri Lanka. We immediately recognised the value of that suggestion and moved forward with the initiative,” Swaminathan said.

Yusoof will attend the forum as Special Guest of Honour, engaging with business leaders and investors interested in Sri Lanka’s priority sectors and investment agenda.

What investors are looking for

Swaminathan said the event comes at a critical moment as Sri Lanka works to attract greater levels of foreign direct investment and establish itself as a competitive destination for international capital.

“Sri Lanka has identified a number of priority investment projects across multiple sectors. Our role as a business council is not to create those projects but to help showcase them to the international business community and, where possible, connect them with credible investors,” he said.

Drawing on his experience working with regional and international investors, Swaminathan was direct about what determines whether a destination captures serious investment interest.

“Investors are looking for clarity, consistency and confidence. If projects are clearly defined and supported by transparent policies, business councils and professional networks around the world can help introduce investors. The interest exists. What investors seek is certainty,” he noted.

“Global investors want to understand the rules before they commit capital. They want transparent regulatory frameworks, predictable taxation policies and clear mechanisms governing investment and repatriation of funds. Confidence grows when investors know that the rules under which they enter a market will remain consistent and be honoured over time.”

He pointed once again to the UAE as the benchmark — not as an abstraction, but as a practical illustration of what investor-focused governance produces.

“One of the reasons the UAE continues to attract businesses from every corner of the world is the ease of doing business. The processes are efficient, the regulatory environment is clear and investors have confidence in the system. These are qualities that every successful investment destination strives to achieve.”

Complementary, not competing

Swaminathan was emphatic that the forum’s purpose is not to draw investment away from the UAE, but to create new opportunities that deepen the economic partnership between the two countries. The Council is equally supportive of the Port City Colombo investment forum taking place earlier on the same day, and views both events as serving different but complementary objectives.

“The UAE is, and will remain, one of the world’s leading global hubs for trade, logistics, finance and investment. Our objective is not to compete with that success. Rather, we see Sri Lanka as a strategic partner that can complement the UAE’s role by offering opportunities in sectors where investors may wish to expand their regional footprint,” he asserted.

He noted that Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean, its maritime connectivity and its position along major shipping routes provide significant structural advantages for businesses seeking access to South Asian markets.

“We believe Sri Lanka can serve as a gateway to South Asia and the wider region, while many businesses continue to maintain their regional or global headquarters in the UAE. The opportunities are not mutually exclusive; they are complementary.”

A nation ready to rise again

Beyond the economics, Swaminathan spoke to something deeper — the need for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and the wider diaspora to reclaim a global sense of ambition and possibility.

“We must move beyond an island mindset and embrace a global perspective. Opportunities today are not confined by geography. Businesses that think internationally, build partnerships and remain adaptable are the ones most likely to succeed. The UAE itself is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a nation embraces openness and global connectivity.”

Sri Lanka was once counted among Asia’s most admired economies: a literate, skilled and entrepreneurial people, blessed with natural resources, a strategic location and a culture of resilience. Those foundations remain. The question being asked with growing confidence today is not whether that standing can be reclaimed — but when, and by whom.

Gratitude and acknowledgement

The Council extended its appreciation to Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Prof. Arusha Cooray and Consul General Alexis Gunasekara for their encouragement and support of the forum.

The SLBC UAE also placed on record its sincere gratitude to Dubai Chambers for the institutional framework, credibility and support it has provided to the Council over the years.

“Being registered under Dubai Chambers is not merely an administrative formality — it is a mark of credibility and a reflection of shared values. Dubai Chambers has been a trusted institutional home for the Sri Lanka Business Council UAE, and we are proud to operate under its umbrella,” Swaminathan said.

Reflecting on the longstanding bond between the two nations, Swaminathan expressed the community’s deep appreciation for everything the UAE has extended to Sri Lanka over the decades.

“The UAE has consistently stood by Sri Lanka and its people over many decades, including during challenging periods. As a community, we remain deeply grateful for the opportunities, support and hospitality extended to Sri Lankans who have made the UAE their home.”

He concluded by acknowledging those who made the forum possible.

“I would like to thank our Board of Directors, our senior advisors, our organising committee and our membership for their unwavering commitment. Their dedication makes initiatives such as this possible. Together, we remain committed to building bridges between nations, businesses and people.”