'Past lessons important'

The country is progressing well according to a strategic plan where development is viewed in a holistic manner, UNIDO Country Director Nawaz Rajabdeen told Daily News Business.

"It is important to maintain and cultivate relationships among foreign countries to sustain the Government's development efforts," he said. "The country needs to move forward and past experiences should be made use of for future progress. Sri Lanka is fast emerging as an economy to be reckoned with and we need to consolidate this position.

"It is necessary to be an active global player to derive benefits from globalization and the rapidly changing business environment," he said.

Foreign relationships are an integral part of the country's development process and huge investment is necessary for planned development activities including infrastructure development which is currently underway. SJ