China's Diya Group to make colossal investments in Sri Lanka
Shirajiv SIRIMANE
Diya Investment and Management Group Beijing, China one of the
biggest trading and real estate companies would be entering Sri Lanka
with an investment package running into several billion of dollars.
Zhang Zhi Li, Chairman of the Group who was in the island last week
toured Hambantota, Kalpitiya, Anuradhapura and several other areas in
Sri Lanka and have now decided to set up a company with an initial
capital of US $100 million before the end of the year.
''Our first aim is to commence trading between Sri Lanka," he said.
For this purpose for the first time he is looking at building a China
Town in the outskirts of Colombo or in Hambantota.
This would be a large area where all Chinese products would be
available on a wholesale basis similar to the Pettah wholessale market.
"I am looking at building a large warehouse in Hambantota where ships
bringing in goods could be stored. Secondly I am looking at producing
fertilizer in Sri Lanka for both the local and export market as there is
enough raw material," he said.
The third investment would be in the leisure sector where Diya
Investment is looking to build a 300 room five star hotel in Sri Lanka.
The company is also looking at acquiring a four or five star hotel soon.
Elaborating his plans in the leisure sector Li said, he is very keen
in Kalpitiya and appreciated the plan forwarded by Sri Lanka Tourism to
make it an up market destination.
Diya Investment that operates one of the largest travel agencies in
China is looking at three hotels in three areas.
"I am looking at opportunities in Colombo, Kalpitiya and either
Anuradhapura or Hambantota," he said. Li said he is looking at
Anuradhapura to offer religious tour packages for Chinese travellers and
the idea behind investing in Hambantota is to woo the airport and
harbour traffic.
"To make connections easier among the three proposed hotels I am also
looking at commencing a domestic airline service in the future. "I am
also looking at setting up a factory to build solar panels in Sri Lanka
for both the local and international market and also explore the
possibility of generating electricity from garbage,? he said. The
Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL) who negotiated
the visit has also come forward to provide him many other investment
opportunities which he is currently studying.
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