Stepping-stone to closer public / private partnership

Chinese Vice Minister of the Commerce Ministry Chen Jian who was the chief guest at the Sri Lanka Investment Forum organised on the fringes of the South Asia Commodity Fair, promoted the country as a possible investment destination and encouraged Sri Lanka to facilitate more Chinese investments in finding new avenues of reducing the trade deficit with China.

This Investment Forum which was initiated by the Ministry of Commerce was held on December 28, 2007. A well - represented audience generated a great interest at the interactive session that followed by seeking more information on investment procedures of Sri Lanka.

Economic and Commercial Counsellor, of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China Zhu Jinfu also remarked on the potential available in Sri Lanka to increase direct investments from China.

A detailed presentation made by Director General, Department of Commerce, Manel De Silva on the investment climate in the country with opportunities afforded to foreign investors was appreciated by the participants.

She explained that the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the government agency facilitating foreign investments has been reorganized to provide better services easing the procedures for locating a company in Sri Lanka.

Chinese entrepreneurs were encouraged to note Government measures of demarcating an Export-Processing Zone exclusively for Chinese Investors.

Her presentation also highlighted the added advantages available to the Chinese investors through Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and the GSP+ Scheme.

The Secretary Ministry of Export Development and International Trade and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka gave brief remarks of the prospects available between the two countries for mutually beneficial relations in both trade and investment. The Investment Forum was organised by the Commercial Section of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing.