Sri Lanka Showcases Economic Rebound and Investment Potential at Key Regional Event
Sri Lanka made a compelling case for foreign investment this week at the ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ business forum held on 3 April at the Grande Centre Point Surawong Hotel in Bangkok. The event, organized by the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Thailand in collaboration with the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, welcomed over 80 Thai and international business leaders.
The forum was strategically timed alongside the 6th BIMSTEC Summit (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), which took place in the Thai capital from 2 to 4 April.
PM Amarasuriya: “Sri Lanka is the world’s next success story”
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya painted a promising picture of Sri Lanka’s post-crisis transformation, citing political and economic stability as key indicators of a turnaround.
“We are entering a new era of growth, innovation, and global engagement,” she stated. Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized the government’s commitment to an inclusive economy supported by infrastructure development, a skilled workforce, and booming tourism—highlighting early 2025’s surge in tourist arrivals as a sign of strong recovery.
Strengthening Ties and Bilateral Investment
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, opened the event by recognizing Thailand’s long-standing investment relationship with Sri Lanka, which has resulted in $97 million in FDI between 2008 and 2024.
She encouraged Thai investors to capitalise on Sri Lanka’s investor-friendly reforms, citing legal instruments like the Bilateral Investment Treaty and Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement as enablers for smooth and secure business engagement.
The forum also featured insights from Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce President Dilan Samarakoon, Thai Chamber of Commerce Chairman Poj Aramwattananont, and Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Chairwoman Vibeke Lyssand Leirvåg, who all praised Sri Lanka’s promising economic outlook and called on investors to explore its emerging opportunities.