Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa yesterday (08) encouraged Japanese investors to invest in Sri Lanka's agro-based industries in order to develop the sector.

The call was made when he received Akira Sugiyama, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka at the Ministry yesterday (08).

During the meeting, the Ambassador assured that Japan will continue to support Sri Lanka’s development as a long-standing friend of this island nation and stated that there is renewed interest shown by Japanese businesses to invest in Sri Lanka. In response, the Minister stated that he would like to assure his fullest support to those investors.

Meanwhile, the Minister recalled that; during a recent meeting with Toyota Lanka, the company's representatives have pointed out that a vehicle assembly plant can be established in Sri Lanka if the vehicle importation ban continues for another 10 years. In response, the Ambassador noted that he will directly discuss this matter with Toyota's parent company in Japan and give a positive feedback.