Sri Lanka Vietnam Investment Forum discussions highlighted Sri Lanka’s renewed economic stability and investment potential as the Board of Investment (BOI) urged Vietnamese businesses to explore emerging opportunities across multiple high-growth sectors.
Sri Lanka Vietnam Investment Forum promotes trade and investment ties
Addressing the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum, Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena stated that Sri Lanka has successfully stabilised its economy following one of the most severe economic crises in its post-independence history and is now positioned for sustained growth driven by reforms, investment-friendly policies and strategic global connectivity.
Representing the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Dr. Jayawardena presented a pipeline of 30 structured and project-ready investment opportunities spanning manufacturing, logistics, tourism, infrastructure and mixed development sectors.
During the Sri Lanka Vietnam Investment Forum, he emphasised that the country’s improving macroeconomic indicators demonstrate clear recovery momentum. Sri Lanka recorded GDP growth of 5% in both 2024 and 2025 following a contraction in 2023, while the Central Bank projects continued growth in 2026. Merchandise exports increased from US$ 11.9 billion in 2023 to US$ 13.6 billion in 2025, with tourism earnings also rising sharply as international visitor arrivals surpassed 2.3 million.
Foreign direct investment inflows reached US$ 1.063 billion in 2025, nearly doubling from the previous year, with authorities targeting US$ 1.5 billion in 2026. Dr. Jayawardena described the growth in investment inflows as a strong indicator of returning investor confidence and economic stability.
He also positioned Vietnam as a strategic partner for Sri Lanka rather than simply a trading market. According to officials, Sri Lanka currently exports around US$ 40 million worth of goods annually to Vietnam, including apparel, tea, seafood and gemstones, while imports from Vietnam total approximately US$ 238 million, largely consisting of machinery, textiles, iron, steel and plastics.
Rather than viewing the trade imbalance negatively, Dr. Jayawardena noted that the gap creates opportunities for deeper economic cooperation and expanded bilateral trade. Strengthening Vietnam trade relations could also help Sri Lanka integrate more effectively into Southeast Asian supply chains and regional economic networks.
The Sri Lanka Vietnam Investment Forum further highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic location along one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. Colombo Port currently ranks among the top global container ports, while the sea route south of Sri Lanka carries a substantial share of global oil shipments and container traffic, positioning the country as a key logistics and trade hub within the Indian Ocean region.
Dr. Jayawardena also underscored the country’s skilled workforce and professional talent pool as major competitive advantages for investors. Sri Lanka maintains one of South Asia’s highest literacy rates and produces approximately 44,000 university graduates annually, supported by extensive technical and vocational training infrastructure.
As part of the investment pipeline, Sri Lanka foreign investment opportunities include apparel manufacturing, electronics assembly, rubber products, dairy processing, pharmaceuticals, textile production and electric vehicle assembly projects. Logistics-related opportunities include warehousing facilities, customs verification centres, logistics hubs and aircraft maintenance operations at Mattala International Airport.
The tourism sector also forms a key component of the investment strategy. Proposed projects include heritage hotels, theme parks, recreational hubs and cruise tourism developments aimed at further strengthening Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
Infrastructure and mixed development opportunities include techno parks, cinema city developments, integrated urban projects and residential apartment schemes designed to attract long-term private investment.
Dr. Jayawardena additionally highlighted Sri Lanka’s extensive preferential market access through trade agreements and concessionary schemes. These include zero-duty access to European Union markets under the GSP+ scheme, preferential access to the United Kingdom, and free trade agreements with India and Pakistan. Pending agreements with Singapore and Thailand are also expected to strengthen regional trade connectivity.
The investment framework further allows 100% foreign ownership across most sectors while guaranteeing full repatriation of profits and capital. Officials noted that intellectual property protections aligned with international standards and multiple investment protection agreements are intended to provide investors with long-term confidence.
Closing his address at the Sri Lanka Vietnam Investment Forum, Dr. Jayawardena stated that Sri Lanka has now moved beyond crisis management and is actively positioning itself as a globally connected, investment-driven economy capable of supporting long-term regional partnerships and sustainable economic growth.