Japan Lanka's seventh trade partner, Rishad to Japan Times

As Sri Lanka-Japan bilateral discourse completes 60 memorable events, Japan has become our seventh largest international trade partner. "The total bilateral trade turnover between the two nations has grown to $ 1,250 million in 2011.

Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka ( R ) discusses with Global Insight Project Directors for Japan Times, Filip Rideau ( L ) and Anita Matic ( C ) on June 15, in Colombo.

Japan, our seventh largest trade partner in 2011, has always been a key trading nation as well as a generous donor to us for which we extend our sincere appreciation" said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Minister Bathiudeen was informing Filip Rideau and Anita Matic on June 15, in Colombo. Rideau and Matic are currently in Colombo compiling a special supplement on Sri Lanka's economic resurgence for Tokyo based Japan Times-the oldest and highest selling English language newspaper published in Japan.

"As we celebrate 60 years of friendly Sri Lanka-Japan relations, we remember of the multitude of Japanese assistance extended to Sri Lanka with warm gratitude, amongst them were granting of the first island-wide TV network Rupavahini, the strengthening of Sri Lanka Telecom, grant of Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, grant aid to develop various road networks, enhance education and academic scholarships. Such assistance has been solid pillars of generous Japanese assistance to Sri Lanka.

Our strategic location as a hub in the Indian Ocean to West Asia, South Asia and SE Asia, positioning of economic goal as the Economic Hub of Asia, strong, skilled human resources, wide use of English language, friendly population, foreign investment friendly open economy, and generally stable socio-political climate are promising aspects for Japanese investors here" Minister Bathiudeen said. Informing of existing Japanese firms in Sri Lanka, Minister Bathiudeen said: "Since 1996, a number of large multinational conglomerates including NTT, Mitsui Group, Kawasho Corporation, and YKK have committed substantial investments in large infrastructure and manufacturing projects. At the same time, existing Japanese enterprises -in ceramics, Noritake Lanka Porcelain, Dankotuwa Porcelain (International Ceramics Corporation of Japan), and Dainichi Creations; in electronics, FDK Lanka Ltd (Fuji Electro Chemical) have expanded their investment in Sri Lanka."