High powered delegation to promote investment and exports in Germany

Tuesday, 25 September 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A high powered investment delegation led by Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama will make a strong pitchthis week for German investment to Sri Lanka.

The delegation will visit Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin and meet with senior German officials,as well as captains of German industry.The Sri Lankan delegation will comprise senior officials involved in vital aspects of the economy including Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI)Board Member Mangala Yapa, BOI Director General Duminda Ariyasinghe, Export Development Board Chairperson/ Chief Executive Indira Malwatte, as well as other senior officials of the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade.

This delegation will also include representatives from leading Sri Lankan companies which have an interest in Germany, as well as officials from the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce(AHK).

Germany is of considerable importance to Sri Lanka as it is the largest economy within the European Union and also a dynamo in the manufacturing sector which is a focus sector for Sri Lanka.In addition,Germany is also a leader in the field of logistics notably in Hamburg and software knowledge services including state of the art incubator services which are centred in Berlin.

This highly targeted mission will include investment forums where top German and Sri Lankan companies can share experiences, and presentations by the BOI and the EDB will be conducted.The Private sector delegates will consist of Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO)Chairman Ranjith Pandithage, Expolanka Holdings PLC Head Strategic Planning and Business Development Shiraz Immarudeen, Live Room Ltd., Director/Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Sameera Nilupul, MAS Holdings Ltd., Chief Operating Officer Shirendra Lawrence, Colombo Dockyard PLC ChairmanDr. Toru Takehara, CHEC Port City Colombo Ltd.Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Liang Thow Ming, and CHEC Port City Head of Strategy and Business Development Thulci Aluwihare.

German companies that have invested in Sri Lanka in the past include Kramski, a high tech engineering company which celebrated 25 years in the country. Kramski produces components for many German and international brand names including Blum, Bosch, Delphi, Roche and Sumida.

Germany has taken astrategic interest in investing Sri Lanka as the Government policy actively encourages private sector led growth.This is reflected by the decision of AHK to open a full time office in Colombo in March 2018 in support of expanding investment and trade from Germany to Sri Lanka.

The forum is to be held in the Chambers of Commerce in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin.