Deputy Minister Faiszer Musthapha meets Japanese investors
Thursday, 3 July 2014 00:46
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Deputy Minister Faiszer Musthapha
Top level Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and a group of leading businesspersons and investors from Osaka, Japan held a meeting recently at the Osaka City Plaza.
In his keynote speech, the Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion and President’s Counsel Faiszer Mustapha has highlighted the economic benefits which can be achieved by investing in Sri Lanka. Excerpts from his speech are below:
“I’m pleased to receive this honour on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka to address a panel of distinguished and dignified investors from Osaka. Your products and services are of great quality and value, and have always been in the forefront of consumer demand across the globe. Even in my own country products from Osaka have a great demand and popularity. We witness the signature of Osaka every time we encounter the brand ‘Toyota’.
In today’s global economy, you cannot confine your expertise within the city of Osaka. We have all realised that the next era of the world economy depends on Asia. With the economic renaissance in India and China, it will be an even more a significant factor and is not to be disregarded. In order to cope up with world trends and maintain the economy of Japan in its high position, you need to enter new economic avenues. As I pointed out earlier, India and China will be of much significance.
If you invest in Sri Lanka, our Free Trade Agreements with China, India and Pakistan will enable you to penetrate the aforementioned markets with a competitive advantage of free import taxes. Therefore, I invite you to consider this opportunity. You will understand that Sri Lanka is the ideal country in the world to make your signature in the growing Asian markets.
I feel it is my responsibility to educate you on the current state of Sri Lanka. Our country is a politically stable and peaceful island that enjoys a steady annual economic growth of around 8%. During the last several years, the infrastructure facilities have been developed immensely. Uninterrupted electricity is provided and attractive benefits are on offer to interested investors. A strong workforce with knowledge and competence will be of great assistance to you.
Today Sri Lanka with its large ocean territory indicates a colossal development in the tourism sector.
My dear investors of Japan, I strongly believe that Sri Lanka should be studied in great detail. We will be able to transform our current upper middle income economy to a developed economy. Also, your unique technological knowledge and products of high value will contribute immensely to elevate the Japanese economy to the pinnacle.
Continuing the centuries long mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka, I invite you to join hands with investors from Sri Lanka and develop businesses between the two countries.
I further highlight the fact that it is a significant era in which the world economic dominance is transitioning from America and Europe to Asia. This is indeed an opportunity which we must take advantage of. I believe that the economic benefits to both countries should not be considered lightly. As the transforming economic hub of Asia, Sri Lanka will surely become your investment paradise.”
