Sri Lanka pitches strategic sectors to Chinese investors

Sri Lanka is doubling down on efforts to attract Chinese capital and reinvigorate trade ties, banking on deeper economic cooperation to fast-track recovery, following a high-level bilateral business forum held in Colombo yesterday.

Sri Lanka-China Trade and Investment Forum 2025 convened over 115 senior delegates from 77 Chinese enterprises, alongside public and private sector leaders from Sri Lanka, in what officials described as a “constructive milestone” in charting a new chapter of economic engagement.

With China being one of Sri Lanka’s top creditors and a key trade partner, the timing of the forum, amid Colombo’s delicate macroeconomic balancing act under the International Monetary Fund programme, highlights a renewed appetite to court foreign investment as a critical lever for growth.

Labour Minister and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando described China as a “trusted partner” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dialogue-driven cooperation. 

“Our ties are built on shared values, mutual respect and a history of growing economic cooperation,” he said, referring to the Eighth Session of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, held earlier this week.

China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao urged both sides to expand trade and economic ties and take a multilateral approach to ensure resilience and sustainability. 

“China stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s development journey,” he said.

Wentao also met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions on Thursday, where he affirmed that there has been a notable rise in interest from Chinese investors looking to invest in the country.

Organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka’s Commerce Department, Sri Lanka-China Business Council and China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), the forum facilitated strategic B2B dialogues and sector-specific investment discussions.

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Krishan Balendra said the chamber is driving efforts to improve the investment climate. 

“We are creating a conducive environment for doing business, underpinned by transparency, predictability and sustainability,” he said.

The Chinese delegation included top officials from four influential trade chambers, including the CCCME and chambers focused on foodstuffs, textiles and private-sector investments.

Priority investment areas discussed at the forum included the automotive value chain, tea plantation and enterprise development, engineering and construction, renewable energy, clean technology and water treatment, which are key sectors Sri Lanka is betting on to drive export diversification and economic resilience.