Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma recently visited the Board of Investment (BOI) and held the first meeting with its senior management.
At the outset, the Deputy Minister commended the BOI staff for their exceptional service to existing BOI companies during the economic crisis, ensuring business continuity without hindrance.
Dr. Suriyapperuma emphasized the pivotal role of the BOI as a key agency for national development and foreign exchange earnings. He highlighted that the BOI’s contribution extends beyond foreign exchange generation; its performance directly influences the livelihoods of citizens and creates employment opportunities.
Acknowledging recent changes, the Deputy Minister noted that the public expects enhanced performance across all government operations, with the BOI playing a central role in driving this transformation. He stressed the importance of demonstrating a substantial contribution to the country’s GDP to meet the public’s high expectations of the public entity.
The Deputy Minister also addressed the challenges the BOI faces in collaboration with other agencies. He reviewed proposed improvements in operations, procedures, and approvals and expressed confidence that the BOI would continue to work with renewed enthusiasm to create a positive reputation among foreign investors by offering exceptional services.
Furthermore, Dr. Suriyapperuma highlighted that the new government leadership, backed by international support and approval from foreign governments and development agencies, will serve as a catalyst for the BOI to enhance opportunities and attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This newfound momentum will enable the BOI to drive better results and address critics regarding its performance.
In conclusion, the Deputy Minister reiterated that the culture of new thinking, attitudes, and innovations, aligned with the mandate of the people, is crucial to bringing much-needed FDI to Sri Lanka. He emphasized that the government’s approach to ensuring “zero tolerance of corruption” would further strengthen the nation’s image. With international acceptance, Sri Lanka’s business ecosystem is already gaining momentum, positioning the BOI to work with a unified vision and passion to make Sri Lanka the best place for FDI in Asia.