Japan to contribute more to Lankan economy

With the advent of durable peace in Sri Lanka, Japan looks forward to the opportunity of making a more vigorous contribution to the country’s economic development, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Toshihiro Nikai, said in Tokyo at a meeting with Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Prof. G.L. Peiris.

Prof. Peiris briefed Minister Nikai about the substance of his discussions with Japanese business leaders at a meeting of the Japan-Sri Lanka Business Co-operation Committee at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tokyo.

Gampachiro Aihara of Mitsui and Co. Ltd. presided over the proceedings in which leading Japanese companies including Itochu Corporation, Kajima Corporation, Noritake Tableware Co., Toshiba Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Nippon Koei Co. Ltd. participated.

The companies had intensive discussions with Minister Peiris and Ambassador Jayantha Palipane on the practical modalities for extending the scope of their business operations in the new environment.

Chairman of the Business Co-operation Committee, Daya Weththasinghe, addressed the gathering. Officials of the Board of Investment and the Export Development Board also participated.

Prof. Peiris discussed in detail with President of the Japan External Trade Organization, Michitaka Nakatomi, the role which this body could appropriately play in providing a range of services for Japanese companies that wish to take advantage of current opportunities for investment and trade in Sri Lanka.