BOI hosts Chinese investor delegation

A delegation from the Chinese Industry Association of Manufacturers of Weighing Machines visited the BOI to evaluate possibilities of investing in the island. The 28 strong delegation representing 28 companies located in Beijing, Shanxi, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Nanjing, Shenzhen and other cities in China. The companies belonged to the China Weighing Instrument Association of China which has a 500 strong membership of companies and is part of the National Council of Light Industries of China. The BOI has actively promoted investors from China, a country whose economy has recorded rapid growth, resulting in significant overseas investments.

In 2011 Chinese enterprises invested US $ 10.4 million in Sri Lanka. Chinese enterprises are already engaged in mega investment projects such as Norocholai Power Station, the Hambantota Port, the Performance Arts Theater, the Colombo South Harbour Development and other significant projects.

As a result the BOI has over the year developed presentations and promotional literature in the Chinese language aimed at Chinese investors. The leader of the Chinese delegation was Liu Xiahua, President of the China Weighing Instrument Association. The BOI was represented by Gowri Rajapakse, Executive Director (Investment Promotion), Dilip S Samarasinghe, Director (Media and Publicity) and Kumudini Ratnaweera, Deputy Director (Promotion).

China manufactures a wide range of scales of weighing machines of all types. These are marketed worldwide notably to the United States and to the European Union. The Chinese enterprises were also interested in meeting Sri Lankan enterprises who already manufacture weighing machines and scales with a view of possible joint ventures. The visit by the Chinese business delegation also included a visit to the BOI Zone at Katunayake, to evaluate Sri Lanka's Export Processing Zones for future manufacturing plants.