Sri Lanka’s infrastructure landscape is poised for a potential shakeup with the arrival of Zhong Wei International Corporation, a leading design and construction company from China. The company has established a regional office, Zhong Wei Engineering Consulting Company Ltd., in Colombo, signaling their strong interest in participating in Sri Lanka’s mega development projects.
Chairman Luo Xiaolan outlined Zhong Wei’s ambitions, which include involvement in major initiatives like the Colombo Port City, Hambantota Port, the national highway network, and even power generation projects. This strategic move strengthens the already close bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and China, a country that has played a significant role in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development in recent years.
Zhong Wei’s entry into Sri Lanka comes after a period of delayed plans due to the island nation’s economic struggles. However, with Sri Lanka’s economic recovery exceeding expectations, the company has seized the opportunity. They have formed a joint venture with Sri Wing Lanka Pvt. Ltd. to establish a firm foothold in the market.
Specializing in cost management and engineering consultancy services, Zhong Wei boasts an impressive portfolio. Their past projects include a remarkable 4-kilometer undersea road network in Hong Kong and towering high-rises in China and beyond. The company’s expertise extends even further, with participation in over 30 industry standard formulation and research projects at various governmental levels. This track record has earned them recognition as a preferred consulting firm and garnered them repeated public commendations.
With a USD 500 million annual turnover, Zhong Wei brings a wealth of experience and global perspective to the table. Their success in cross-border project consulting, particularly in Guangdong-Macao cooperative ventures, highlights their capabilities.
Following a positive fact-finding mission, Zhong Wei is currently evaluating proposals received from both the private sector and the government. They expect to provide a follow-up response within two months.
Looking beyond project involvement, Zhong Wei has expressed a commitment to fostering Sri Lanka’s future workforce. Their plan includes offering around 50 fully funded scholarships for Sri Lankan students to pursue education in leading Chinese universities through a partnership with Sri Wing Education, the sister company of their local partner. This initiative has the potential to equip Sri Lankan youth with valuable engineering management skills, contributing to the nation’s long-term development goals.