Italians intensify investment projects in Sri Lanka

Minister briefs EU ambassadors on ground situation

Shirajiv Sirimane

INVESTMENTS: The Italian Government is keen to invest more aggressively in Sri Lanka and the present political situation has not had any negative impact on these proposed investments.

This was made known by the Italian Ambassador Pio Mariani when he met the Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Rohitha Bogollagama at the ministry yesterday.

This meeting was called by the Minister to brief business leaders of the travel and apparel sectors and ambassadors of EU countries to fulfil an assurance given by him, that the Government will make every effort to inform the diplomatic community on the ground situation in the country to minimise the effect of adverse publicity given in the international media.

The Italian Ambassador at this meeting said that the Italian investors are keen to invest in the apparel, manufacturing and the confectionery industry with a view of exporting to the Indian market as well.

The Italian investors need nearly 5,000 employees for these projects and they are also keen to extend the Omega line.

The ambassadors and other diplomatic community were pleased that this meeting was called as it helped them to iron out several issues.

Members of the travel trade said due to the many incentives provided by the Government the trade took off well during the first three months of the year. So far the travel trade has not experienced many cancellations due to the recent incidents in the country.

The representatives of the apparel sector said that they are concerned about the present situation and appreciated action taken by the Government to minimise the impact on the recent incidents on their trade.

They requested the diplomats to project the ground situation in Sri Lanka in their respective countries.

The diplomats appreciated action taken by the Government to explain the ground situation and expressed their support to provide correct information on the ground situation here to those concerned back home.

It was mentioned that travel advisories concerning North and East of Sri Lanka has been there for the last two decades. It is not for the whole of Sri Lanka.

Minister Bogollagama said this dialogue would continue with the diplomatic corps and sections of the business community next week.

Head of Delegation of the EU, Julian Wilson, Swiss ambassador Bernandino Regazzoni, Charge d' affairs of the German Embassy, Woltgong Erdmanns Sdoverfer, Second Secretary, Political and Public Diplomacy British High Commission John Culley, Secretary, Ministry of Plan Implementation, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Chairman BOI, Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala, Hemas Group CEO Abbas Esufally, Managing Director Jetwing Travels Hiran Cooray, Hirdaramani Group Anil Hirdarmani and Chairman Renuka Hotel Ravi Thambiah were present at the meeting.