High-powered Japanese business delegation visits Hambantota International Port

HIPG Deputy General Manager of Commercial and Marketing Bindu Ranasinghe delivering a presentation to the delegation

The visiting delegation with HIP officials

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) supported a joint initiative by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Hambantota Chamber of Commerce, which are on an initiative to attract investments into the southern hinterland of Sri Lanka. In line with JETRO’s business engagement in India, the delegation of investors consisted mainly of Japan-based business organisations with branch offices in India and some in Sri Lanka.

“HIP is keen to support investment events of this nature as they open up opportunities for investors to do business on a regional level from the south of the island. The opportunity for Japanese companies operating in India and Sri Lanka to look at the deep south to build industry is timely at this particular juncture of Sri Lankan history. The rapid development process taking place at our port and the establishment of the last pillar of HIP’s master plan, which is container operations, will vastly support the development of industries in the southern hinterland,” says Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) CEO Wilson Qu.

During their visit, the delegates participated in a short familiarisation tour of HIP, where they observed the port’s facilities and engaged with its officials. The visit reflected HIP’s commitment to fostering international business relationships, with the port team delivering a detailed presentation showcasing the port’s facilities and potential.

The HIPG, which is behind the port’s rapid expansion in the last few years, was recognised as a top FDI contributor at the BOI’s 45th Anniversary Awards, with an investment of $ 1.4 billion between 2017 and 2022. The delegation included representatives from JETRO offices in both India and Sri Lanka, including JETRO India Director General Kaoru Shiraishi, along with JETRO Chennai Senior Director Junki Yamashita, and JETRO New Delhi Senior Director Toyokazu Nagamune. Representing JETRO Sri Lanka were Hiroki Oi, Lakna Ayeshmanthi, Yuno Fukatsu, and Shigeki Nogami.

Accompanying the JETRO officials were senior executives from prominent global organisations. These included Mitsubishi UFJ Chennai branch Managing Director Saito Michiyasu, and Sojitz India Ltd. Chennai branch Head Shotaro Oka.

Also present were Yusen Logistics (India) Ltd. General Manager Aida Taiga, ThreeBond India Ltd. Sales Adviser Yoshihito Goto, Nippon Steel Chemical & Material India Senior General Manager Aoyagi Tomohisa, and Nishimura & Asahi Attorney-at-law Tomoko Umeki. Other participants included Global Japan AAP Consulting Senior Manager Shinichiro Yoshimori, and senior representatives from Sumitomo Corporation, namely General Manager, India Kazumasa Imai, and Asia & Oceania Logistics Business General Manager Tomotsugu Kiribe, Consulate of Japan in Chennai Consul General Yuzawa Naoko.

The visit further extended to Japanese organisations based in Sri Lanka, with representation from Hidetaka Tamura of IM Japan Colombo Office, Kimiyoshi Shimura of One Asia Consulting Lanka Ltd., and Shuichi Nakamoto of UBE Mitsubishi Cement Corporation. Representatives from Kaihatsu Management Consulting Lanka, World Lanka Tours, and officials from the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka also participated, including First Secretary (Financial Attache) Takafumi Nakanishi, Tsugumi Toyota, and Duleesha Hettiarachchi. Additionally, Satoshi Iwaki of Nikkei Inc., Shalini Jayarathne from MUFG Bank Colombo, and Tetsuya Yamada of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were part of the delegation.

The visit to HIP marks Japan’s growing interest in Sri Lanka’s strategic trade and logistics potential, with the port serving as a vital hub for global commerce. By engaging with global stakeholders, HIP reinforces its position as a gateway for international trade and investment, paving the way for collaborations that promise mutual growth and development.