The meeting follows the President’s official visit to Japan last September, during which a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on establishing the export-oriented industrial corridor between the two countries. The visiting delegation conveyed appreciation for the invitation extended to them and for facilitating arrangements related to the initiative.
The proposed corridor is expected to attract Japanese manufacturing investments primarily targeting export markets, particularly India. Discussions highlighted renewed interest from the Japanese Government and business community in Sri Lanka after nearly a decade, with optimism that the initiative would significantly boost exports, industrial trade, and position Sri Lanka as a regional manufacturing hub.
The delegation included senior representatives from Japan’s government and industry, among them Fumihiko Kobayashi, Chairman of the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Co-operation Committee; Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; and Takehiko Matsuo, Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Also present were representatives from key Japanese institutions and corporations, including the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), JICA Sri Lanka, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Corporation.
From the Sri Lankan side, Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development K.A. Vimalenthirarajah, and Chairman and CEO of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Mangala Wijesinghe were among those in attendance.
