FDI records 90% increase in 1Q25

Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased by US $ 96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Board of Investment (BOI) at a progress review meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

According to the investment promotions agency, relative to the first quarter of 2024, domestic investment rose by US $ 21 million, while export income increased by US $ 176 million during the first quarter of 2025.

In total, Sri Lanka has attracted US $ 4,669 million in investment proposals thus far in 2025.

The meeting also focused on the issues and challenges associated with attracting investment to the country and discussed the potential strategies to address them.

Addressing the gathering, Dissanayake stated that the BOI holds a pivotal role in enhancing the national economy and improving the living standards of the rural population.

He stressed that opportunities to attract investment in traditional sectors are becoming increasingly limited and therefore the nation must identify new areas for investment, an endeavour that falls under the BOI’s mandate.

Dissanayake further noted that Sri Lanka has attracted only around US $ 22 billion in investment since 1978. In comparison to other countries in the region, he stated, Sri Lanka must advance rapidly, referencing Vietnam’s achievement of securing US $ 23 billion in investment in 2022 alone.

He went on to state that the BOI should prioritise the expansion of investment in the services sector and proactively seek new investment opportunities, rather than focusing solely on recapturing the missed ones.

The event was attended by the senior officials of the BOI, including Senior Advisor to President on Economic Affairs Duminda Hulangamuwa, BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath and BOI Acting Director General Renuka Weerakone.