Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Saturday, 7 September 2024 01:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) yesterday expressed disappointment with the lack of support from the Board of Investment (BOI) in resolving the issuance of business visas for investors and called for immediate action.
In a letter addressed to the BOI Chairman, FTZMA highlighted that following a Supreme Court determination, obtaining a business visa through a VFS service provider has been suspended for an indefinite period and against this backdrop, the Government had earlier decided to ensure international visitors do not face any inconvenience when obtaining relevant business visas through the Sri Lanka missions overseas in the absence of an online visa platform.
“This method has been working perfectly for all BOI enterprises so far. However we note with disappointment as to why this facility has been suspended by the Government,” they added.
The association highlighted that business visas for foreign nationals who visit the country are now forced to obtain tourist visas from a facility available at the immigration counters in the arrivals terminal at the airport, as the prior practice of foreign missions issuing business visas from the origin country has also been halted.
“The BOI must intervene in this matter immediately by liaising with the relevant authorities to resume business visa issuance through the overseas Sri Lankan missions as they have done before,” they stated.
They pointed out that the suspension has also caused confusion among tourism industry stakeholders, who had previously assured travel agents and international partners that both business and tourist visas could be secured before arrival.
FTZMA warned of two potential repercussions if the situation remains unresolved:
1.) Foreign nationals who intend to visit Sri Lanka solely for business purposes will be deterred from entering on a tourist visa, and
2.) BOI companies will face operational challenges as they struggle to bring in investors, partners, and stakeholders, potentially jeopardising their businesses.
“We have been approached by many of our member organisations by making complaints about their displeasure with this change thus resulting in a deadlock to those who are genuinely visiting the country for business purposes, particularly shareholders, directors, buyers, vendors and trainers who are coming on a business visa to our member companies. If they arrive for business on a tourist visa that is a violation of immigration regulations in the country thus creating a dreadful situation for our investors,” they stressed.
Therefore, the FTZMA strongly recommended the BOI being the facilitator, to create a conducive environment for investors to do their business with ease.
