BoI conducts high-profile investment seminars in Japan

The Board of Investments of Sri Lanka (BoI), in close coordination with the Bank of TokyoMitsubishi UFJ and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, conducted two high-profile investment forums in Osaka and in Tokyo, recently.

The chief guest of the said two forums was Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene and a delegation from the BoI also delivered addresses and presentations. The opening remarks at both the forums were delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. Saj Mendis, since Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda was out of the country on an official engagement. BoI Chairman Dr. Lakshman Jayaweera also enumerated the key factors for corporate and industry leaders of Japan to consider Sri Lanka as a favoured investment destination.

Minister Abeywardene in his address highlighted the rapid economic advancement and development of Sri Lanka since 2009, the concept of developing hubs such as aviation, shipping, finance, services, knowledge, tourism, energy and outsourcing in Sri Lanka, the utility of being engaged with Sri Lanka for Japanese corporates and industries at this crucial juncture and the strategic geographic location as well as the well-developed infrastructure of the country, among others.

He further underlined that the BoI is a onestop-shop, which would facilitate, assist and cooperate with any foreign investor and would navigate the foreign investor to materialize the respective investment in Sri Lanka. The minister urged the corporates and industrialists of Japan to take the advantage of Sri Lanka since this is the most opportune and propitious occasion.

The two high-profile investment seminars were highly productive, constructive and wellfocused since the speakers could objectively emphasize and elucidate the tangible benefits of committing investments as well as being economically and commercially engaged with Sri Lanka to corporates and industries of Japan. The presentations were also delivered by Sagawa Global Holdings Japan Co. Limited and Tosslec Co. Limited, which have already established a strong presence in Sri Lanka.

The investment seminar in Osaka was attended by well over 70 select investors and the seminar in Tokyo was attended by well over 150 participants, who were primarily clients of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. After the formal presentations at the two forums, the senior delegation of the BoI conducted one-to-one discussions with a number of interested and potential investors and corporate captains of Japan.