ADB-KSP joint consultants hold dissemination seminar on Colombo-Trincomalee Economic Corridor

 State Secretary of Ministry of Industry and Commerce S.D. Wijayabandara (8th from left of 1st row), Director General of Department of National Planning S.S. Mudalige (7th from left of 1st row), Country Director of Sri Lanka resident mission of ADB Sri Widowati (6th from left of 1st row), and Chief Representative of Colombo office of Korea Eximbank Sungsoo Jung (5th from left of 1st row)

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held a dissemination seminar on the Colombo-Trincomalee Economic Corridor (CTEC) with the aim of sharing the final policy consultation paper with Sri Lankan government officials from the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade and Sri Lanka Customs and other relevant ministries and organisations. ADB-KSP joint consulting program was launched in April this year to support the Sri Lankan Government in drawing a blueprint for CTEC.  

Even though Sri Lanka is just below the threshold of upper-middle income country status, there are challenges that it needs to overcome. Low foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow compared with those in other countries like Viet Nam and Myanmar, a non-vibrant SME sector, an inadequate custom system and risks arising from unplanned urbanisation are some of the challenges. These factors contributed to a decline in the export to GDP ratio from 29% in 2000 to 12.5% in 2016.  

In this context, by providing hands-on experiences and knowledge that Republic of Korea acquired from implementing similar economic corridor development projects from 1970s to 2000s, this ADB-KSP joint consulting program will make practical contributions to the CTEC initiative which will boost an export-oriented economy and revitalise Sri Lanka. This joint consulting offers comprehensive policy recommendations tailored to the needs of Sri Lanka, especially focusing on four areas – FDI promotion, strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs, single window custom system and urbanisation. Korea Eximbank may finance development projects related to these 4 areas and other economic infrastructures in Sri Lanka  

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) provides Official Development Assistance (ODA) for international development and cooperation. The bank signed its first ODA loan agreement with Sri Lanka in 1990, for the rehabilitation of the Colombo-Galle road. As of now, the Bank has approved USD 806 million for 28 development projects in Sri Lanka. 

Korea Eximbank also provides financing for international trade and overseas investment, to promote bilateral economic cooperation. Since 1978, Korea Eximbank has provided USD 386 million both for trade between Sri Lanka and Korea and for Korean companies’ foreign direct investments in Sri Lanka. 

KSP (Knowledge Sharing Program) is a special technical assistance program provided by the Korea Eximbank under the auspices of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance of Korea to share Korea’s development experience and knowledge accumulated over the past decades with partner countries. KSP offers Joint Consulting Programs with Multilateral Development Banks, Modularisation Projects, and Policy Consultation tailored to the needs of partner countries encompassing in-depth analysis, policy recommendations, and training opportunities.