'Gulf investors looking East'

Gulf Investors have shown greater interest in emerging markets like Sri Lanka post the crisis in Egypt.

Hilmy Cader

According to Bahrain based MTI CEO Hilmy Cader "Egypt has been the tri-gateway to Europe, Africa and Middle East for regional investors, in addition to a local market in excess of 83 million.

The crisis that is unfolding in Egypt is also creating a 'fear halo' in both the Levant and the Maghreb regions, with even doubts over the CIS region.

"This has made Gulf based investors look East for emerging marketing opportunities and Sri Lanka is well poised for this," he said.

MTI Corporate Finance is actively working on M&A Deals and investor facilitation, in addition to service such as private placement facilitation, due diligence, feasibility studies.

According to Cader the time is ripe for more road shows to promote Sri Lanka in the Gulf and position the country as a strong emerging destination for FDIs.

He also reckons that Vietnam and Cambodia is also attracting a lot of interest from the Gulf.