Enterprise Development Minister promotes investments and tourism

With German business and political leaders:

PROMOTION: The Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Dr. Sarath Amunugama who is on an official visit to Germany met with several key German political and business leaders in Berlin to brief them on developments in Sri Lanka and to discuss ways at strengthening and promoting tourism and investment.

Dr Amunugama on Tuesday met with Count Dr. Otto von Lambsdorff, the former Minister of Economics and Chairman of the FDP (Federal Democratic Party) and discussed German assistance for Sri Lanka’s development programme. Count Lambsdorff is also the former head of Friedrich Naumann Foundation which has been active in supporting social programmes in Sri Lanka.

The Minister invited the Naumann Foundation to conduct a media workshop in Sri Lanka.

Earlier on Monday, Dr Amunugama met with the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology Mrs. Dagmar W”hrl.

The Minister thanked the German government for its support of Sri Lanka during the country’s presidency of the EU and outlined the Government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the ethnic problem.

The Minister also sought to clear any misconceptions about Sri Lanka and sought German and EU assistance for the country’s development programmes.

In the afternoon, Minister Amunugama addressed a Business Round Table organised by the Asia Pacific Committee of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The Minister met with representatives of German companies who have shown an interest in investment opportunities in Sri Lanka in sectors such as power, infrastructure development and aviation.

Duminda Ariyasinghe, Executive Director of the BOI explained that a variety of factors including free trade agreements with India and Pakistan, a pro-business investment climate and fiscal incentives make Sri Lanka an attractive location for German investors. In the question and answer session the Minister was able to clarify policy issues and explain matters in detail.

Minister Amunugama told the German investors that the BOI has been restructured to be more pro-active and offer a personalised service to prospective investors. The participants appreciated the assurance the Minister gave on expeditiously dealing with problems in the future.

The BDI accepted an invitation by the Minister to visit Sri Lanka with a delegation of German investors and businessmen. Mr. Shivan de Silva, Executive Director of the BOI was also associated with the talks.

Minister Amunugama and his delegation were hosted to lunch by the Director of Asia Division of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Dr. Stefan Friedrich. The Director explained the re-orientation of the Foundation’s South-Asia programme and ways of integrating Sri Lanka in to their future activities.