Port City Colombo announced that Parliament officially passed two key offshore banking regulations, Offshore Banking and Offshore Banking – Prudent Management and Confidence, on September 4, 2024. This significant development aligns with Port City Colombo’s ambition to establish itself as a prominent regional financial centre, attracting increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Sri Lanka. Seven
Western Automobile Assembly Private Limited (WAA) has proudly announced the opening of its advanced SKD assembly plant in Kuliyapitiya. This state-of-the-art facility, representing a significant investment of approximately USD 27 million, is set to revolutionize local vehicle assembly operations. The plant’s first assembled vehicle, a 15-seater passenger van, is expected to roll out by the
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has unveiled his 2024 election manifesto, focusing on economic development, reducing the cost of living, creating jobs, raising wages, and improving welfare measures. The manifesto was officially launched on August 29 at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, in front of politicians, celebrities, and other distinguished guests. The full manifesto,
The Hambantota International Port (HIP) has achieved significant milestones in 2024, with a 40 percent increase in volumes to date. The port’s Commercial and Marketing division forecasts that growth will reach 50 percent by the end of the year. Lance Zuo, General Manager of Commercial and Marketing at Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), attributes this
Sri Lanka is set to establish a major logistics hub in Trincomalee’s Kappalthurai, targeting heavy industries and aiming to attract up to $1.5 billion in investment. State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama announced the development, highlighting the 600-acre zone’s potential to connect sea, air, and railway cargo freights. This new logistics hub will be
Nine Sri Lankan banks, along with the Bank of China, have shown interest in establishing branches within the Colombo Port City, according to Chief Operating Officer of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, Revan Wikramasuriya. Recently, Sri Lanka has introduced new regulations governing banking operations within this special economic zone. These banks will be regulated
Sri Lanka has made significant strides in its economic development, securing $8 billion in export revenue during the first half of 2024. In addition, investment agreements totaling $800 million were signed within the same period, according to Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama. Speaking at a press briefing titled “Two Years of Progress and Advancements”
At a recent Business Dialogue event hosted by the Advocata Institute at Queens Hotel Kandy, Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne emphasized the need for Sri Lanka to significantly increase its annual export volume, which has stagnated at around USD 12 billion since the onset of the open economy in 1977. Prof. Abeyratne compared Sri Lanka’s export performance
Sri Lanka has secured Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) agreements totaling $800 million for 35 projects in the first quarter of 2024, according to Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama. In a recent interview with Derana TV, Amunugama highlighted that in 2023, Sri Lanka signed FDI agreements worth $1.2 billion following its engagement with the International
The Industry Ministry has set ambitious goals to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s GDP from 16% to 20% by 2030. This initiative is part of the National Industry Policy and a five-year strategic roadmap spanning 2023-2027. During a press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre, Industry Ministry Secretary Shantha Weerasinghe emphasized the