Invest in Sri Lanka, President tells Iranians

Rohan Mathes in Tehran

President Mahinda Rajapaksa called upon Iranian Investors to invest in Sri Lanka sans fear and with full confidence and assured them of definite success of their investment.

He also urged the media of the two countries to assist in this venture.

President Rajapaksa made this assurance to a high-level delegation of leading and high-level Iranian Investors and businessmen who attended the Business and Investment Forum at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Centre (IRIB) in Tehran yesterday.

The Forum was a step in the right direction as seen by the enthusiasm shown by prospective Iranian investors who posed questions to which the Sri Lankan delegation inclusive of President Rajapaksa responded promptly and effectively at the inter-active question and answer session.

This followed immediately after the speeches and presentations, to depict the favourable investment climate and the potential in Sri Lanka made by Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Sri Lanka's Envoy in Iran M.M. Zuhair, Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Bureau Managing Director Dileep Mudadeniya, BoI Chairman, Dhammika Perera and Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera.

"Your investments are fully guaranteed. Be practical and invest in Sri Lanka," the President said.

"Don't have unwarranted phobias on 'Bank Mechanisms', as we follow our own 'home-grown' Sri Lankan policies and not of others. It is we who make the decisions.

"We could even have a bank of our own here in Iran," the President said in response to a query on bank procedures from a prospective Iranian Investor.

To another prospective investor on 'oil and gas exploration', President Rajapaksa pointed out that 'gas' is no more a monopoly of the Government.

"Already there are three private companies engaged in gas. You too are invited to invest in gas," he added.

President Rajapaksa requested a prospector in the 'furniture industry' to form joint ventures with Sri Lankan companies.

Local and international business analysts believe that the Forum would be beneficial to both Sri Lanka and Iran.