Present government has taken numerous initiatives to stabilize and reorientate the economy and attracting foreign investment is a key priority of the country right now, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama said.

“Sri Lanka becomes more and more interesting with new initiatives getting under way. Our government has taken numerous initiatives to stabilize and reorientate the economy. We are focusing on reform initiatives to catalyze growth and create better jobs for our people,” Samarawickrama said whilst speaking at the Ceylon Chamber’s Sri Lanka Investment and Business Conclave 2019.

“ Two things remain certain and remain clear throughout ,” minister noted.

One is the ample business opportunities that are available in Sri Lanka, and two is the commitment of the Government to welcome foreign investors and help them succeed here,” he said

Speaking further Samarawickrama also expressed the following 

“The first is that through Sri Lanka, you will have access to a large growing market, beyond our domestic market. We already have preferential access to a market of 1 billion plus, through our FTA with India, which will soon be expanded to a comprehensive agreement covering services and investment. With our proximity to the fast-growing South Indian states, you will have easier access to these markets from Colombo than even from some parts of India. 

“We already have an FTA with Pakistan. We are negotiating a Comprehensive FTA with China, and FTAs with Thailand and Bangladesh. As you know, we also have preferential access to the European Union through the GSP Plus trade concessions on over 6,000 tariff lines, and we have GSP access to the US," he said

"Sri Lanka’s opportunity is no longer just the 20 million domestic market, but a massive 3.5 billion global market,”Samarawickrama added.