President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has invited the Japanese business community to explore emerging economic opportunities in Sri Lanka while strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties and enhancing private sector collaboration.
The President made these remarks yesterday (29) at the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Forum held at the headquarters of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.
The forum, attended by nearly 200 senior Japanese business leaders, was jointly organised by JETRO, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Committee, and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI).
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, presented the Government’s strategic priorities for national digitalisation, highlighting opportunities in digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and positioning Sri Lanka as a regional hub for data centre development
The BOI showcased priority sectors for Japanese investment, including manufacturing, ICT, renewable energy, and tourism, while reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to streamlined procedures and strong policy support for foreign investors.
A dedicated networking session between the Sri Lankan business delegation and Japanese companies was also held. On the sidelines, President Dissanayake met with JETRO Chairman Norihiko Ishiguro, who pledged to act as a bridge between the two countries’ business communities to foster sustained partnerships.
Sri Lanka’s delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Western Province Governor Hanif Yusuf; Ambassador to Japan Prof. Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya; Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulugamuwa; and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Japan was represented by State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ogushi Masaki; Chairman of the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Committee Fumihiko Kobayashi; and senior members of the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Council and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
