Govt has guaranteed economic security of foreign investors - PM

Prime Minister and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Minister Dr. D.M. Jayaratne said that the government had developed infrastructure facilities so that the economic security of investors will be safeguarded to expand the country’s investment opportunities.

Sri Lanka is an economic hub in the Asian region and it is the thread that links continents such as, South America, Africa and Australia together. The Prime Minister expressed these views when he met a group of Chinese and Malaysian businessmen in the Prime Minister’s Office recently.

He pointed out that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has expanded the business opportunities for foreign investors and he welcomes the arrival of investors who are interested in tourism and other sectors in the country.

Sri Lanka is on the path to becoming the Miracle of Asia and according to the annual growth rate, Sri Lanka would achieve a higher standard of living in the Asian region within a couple of years .

“Sri Lanka has already been listed as a middle level developing country and the per capita income of our country has rapidly increased during the past five years. Under the farsighted leadership of the President, Sri Lanka has been able to put an end to the 30 year war and the development in the North and East has been accelerated. All Sri Lankans live in peace and harmony and the government has taken many legal and practical measures to fulfill their aspirations, as this would enable Sri Lanka to function as a mixed economy the same as in Malaysia. The support of the ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir Mohammed has been received to make this effort a success. He is a great personality who extended his support to synchronize the Malaysian economy with the world economy. Therefore, his guidance would create many opportunities for Sri Lanka, ‘ the PM said. The Prime Minister said that Mahathir Mohammed visited Sri Lanka on many occasions to address the economic conferences.

Director of Veerasad Company Puvee Maniyam who represents Malaysian investors stated that there are several attractive investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. He is currently studying the possibility of exporting sea food and sea plants from Sri Lanka and there are opportunities for the development of the Agriculture sector. The group of businessmen insisted that they are focusing on the export of sea shells from Sri Lanka and the feasibility report in this regard has now been prepared. Tourism in Sri Lanka is another attractive market and they expressed their willingness to get together to make use of these investment opportunities.