Meeting to fast-track German investments in Sri Lanka

The Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade (MODSIT) and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka held an interactive meeting titled ‘The German Sri Lankan Fast-Track Dialogue’ with the German investor community to address any issues faced by German investors currently operating in Sri Lanka.

The German delegation was led by Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka Jorn Rohde. German companies represented included Eskimo Fashion Knitwear Ltd., DHL Keells Ltd., Kraeuter Mix Lanka Ltd., Semini Motors Ltd., Liqui Moly and Fresenius Medical.

The discussion was led on the Sri Lankan side by Sri Lanka Board of Investment Chairman Mangala Yapa, along with Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade Additional Secretary W.A.D.S. Gunasinghe and BOI Director General Champika Malalgoda. Also present were senior officials of the BOI, representatives of the Department of Fiscal Policy, the Department of Inland Revenue, Sri Lanka Customs, the Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation and the National Medicine Regulatory Authority.

In the course of discussion, the delegations from both countries examined issues such as the VAT refund, customs-related matters, imports of oil and registration of medical products.  

Several of the issues discussed were resolved and efforts made to settle those pending.  The spirit of discussion was very amicable and reflected the long-standing and close ties between Sri Lanka and Germany.