152 FDI projects signed so far in 2012, Govt. eyes more Fortune 500 firms

The Government is eyeing for more Fortune 500 firms to invest in Sri Lanka on the back of a pickup in foreign investor interest.

“There have been 152 foreign direct investment projects signed so far this year and we are confident that we will continue to attract proposals from international companies. We want to see Fortune 500 companies in Sri Lanka,” Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said yesterday.

“We are open to work with any company which is willing to meet Government guidelines,” Yapa said. He also expressed confidence that the 2012 target of $ 2 billion in FDI would be met.

Last week the Central Bank said FDI inflows, including foreign loans to BOI companies, of which data becomes available only quarterly, amounted to $ 452 million in the first half and more inflows are expected to materialise during the year.

UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva recently expressed doubt over the Government realising the $ 2 billion target given what he described as “poor performance” in the first half.