Cabinet nod for 7 sectors for investment push during Commonwealth biz forum
Friday, 1 November 2013 03:40
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Cabinet yesterday approved a list of sectors that will be focused on to attract investment during the Commonwealth Business Forum in Colombo next month.
The Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF), which is being held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), has been set a target of attracting US$ 2 billion in investment to Sri Lanka.
A Cabinet paper submitted by Investment Promotions Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene outlined seven sectors that will be highlighted to investors during the CBF.
Tourism, higher education, agriculture and fisheries, health, IT and manufacturing and agro processing were listed as spheres that will be promoted to business delegations from over 53 countries.
Infrastructure including aviation will be another sector that will get significant attention, particularly since China, which already has over US$ 3 billion in investment in Sri Lanka, is sending a high-powered delegation to the forum.
Countries outside of the Commonwealth will also be attending events on the sidelines of CHOGM with a crucial business forum and trade exhibition set to be key highlights.
A large business delegation from China is expected for the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF), which hopes to drum up US$ 2 billion worth of Investment for Sri Lanka.
A total of 81 companies, 42 of them from China, have also signed up for a major trade, investment and tourism exhibition.
India (21), Germany (4), Pakistan (4), Japan (3), Korea (2), Canada (1), Thailand, UK and Dubai have enlisted for ‘Reflections’ already.
Furthermore, over 800 prospective buyers have come forward to enlist for ‘Reflections of Sri Lanka,’ said Sri Lanka’s Trade Ministry in a statement.
Buyer delegations from South Africa, China, India and Iran will also be visiting the exhibition.
