South Korean construction companies keen to invest in SL: Wimal

Tuesday, 11 November 2014 01:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A number of leading construction institutions from South Korea have expressed a willingness to invest in Sri Lanka, while attending a business forum held at the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) which was chaired by Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

A statement from the ministry said that over 30 South Korean construction and institutional agencies have shown an interest in investing in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Addressing the forum, Minister Wimal Weerawansa told ministers and officials present that peace has returned to Sri Lanka after 30 years of internal strife. He pointed out that there was tremendous progress during the past four years, especially in the construction field, and this was a significant achievement. He added that there were continuous activities in the construction field across the country including in the North and the East. Weerawansa went on to say that there were already foreign investors in the country along with a large number of construction institutions and that the President and the Government were willing to give all the necessary assistance to South Korean investors. The Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry displayed the opportunities available for investors keen to enter Sri Lanka. In addition to this, a speech was delivered by Board of Investment Senior Deputy Dire-ctor Ranjan Sibera on ‘Investment Oppo-rtunities and Facilities Provided to Investors’. The Head of the Business Development Department of the Urban Development Authority, Dananjaya Siriwardene also spoke on ‘Opportunities available in Colombo Mixed Development Projects’. Questions were posed by officials from leading South Korean construction industry institutions at the forum and they said that they were impressed by the replies and explanations provided and wished to take immediate steps to invest in Sri Lanka.