26 August 2020 02:19 pm
The Board of Investment (BOI) initiated dialogue with the British High Commission in Colombo to look at avenues to bring into the country the much required Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
In a bid to attract investments into the country, BOI Director General Sanjaya Mohottala met with British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton OBE today to explore promotional strategies for the same.
While Hulton was briefed on the current investment promotion initiatives/ programmes conducted by the BOI, the agency requested the British High Commission to assist in the targeting of potential British companies in a number of shortlisted sectors that are hand picked by the BOI.
Responding favourably, the British High Commission has agreed extend assistance via the British Chambers of Commerce and other counter part organizations.
Furthermore, the BOI requested to explore the possibilities of having a bilateral trade agreement between UK and Sri Lanka, which would help boost investment.
Assistance was also requested from the UK government to promote the proposed Textile/Fabric Park in the Eastern Province, and the Pharmaceutical Zone will be established in Hambantota.
Proposed at the meeting was to make arrangements to hold a virtual ‘Sri Lanka Forum’, so that potential British investors be able to gain insights in investing in the island nation.
The Sri Lanka Forum is a follow up event to the road show organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in collaboration with the BOI, that was held in the UK at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) last October(2019).