CHEC reaffirms confidence in Sri Lanka following talks with President
Daily FT: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Chairman Bai Yinzhan and a company delegation at the Presidential Secretariat in June, where both sides discussed investment opportunities and the future development of Port City Colombo.
During the meeting, Yinzhan said President Dissanayake’s “direct and visionary leadership” had strengthened the company’s confidence in investing in Sri Lanka.
He also welcomed the incentives granted to the Port City Colombo Special Economic Zone and commended the economic stability achieved in the country in recent months.
Dissanayake emphasised that foreign direct investment (FDI) remains a key driver of economic growth and reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing the necessary support and facilities to investors.
He noted that policy stability achieved through agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has helped create a more predictable business environment and laid the foundation for a more investor-friendly economy.
The President also stated that the Government aims to develop Port City Colombo into a modern and dynamic economic hub capable of attracting significant international investment, while assuring continued support for projects that contribute to national development and economic prosperity.
During the discussions, the President also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by CHEC to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The meeting was attended by Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, Essential Services Commissioner General and Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi, CHEC General Manager Su Bo, and other representatives of the company.
OSL take:
As Sri Lanka consolidates its post-crisis recovery, foreign direct investment is being positioned at the center of its growth strategy, with strong emphasis on infrastructure, trade facilitation, and export-oriented development. Engagements between national leadership and major global investors, including leading Chinese infrastructure firms, underscore renewed confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic direction and its openness to long-term capital participation. A particularly significant driver of business/investment opportunity is Sri Lanka’s continued relevance within the broader framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This connectivity agenda enhances Sri Lanka’s role as a maritime and logistics hub in the Indian Ocean, making it attractive for infrastructure developers, port operators, and industrial investors seeking access to South Asian and global shipping routes. Projects linked to this vision, including port development, logistics corridors, and urban transformation initiatives, remain central to the country’s investment landscape. Among these, Colombo Port City stands out as a flagship opportunity for foreign business/investors. Designed as a Special Economic Zone with financial, residential, and commercial components, it offers incentives for global financial services, real estate development, offshore banking, and professional services. For Chinese businesses/investors and other international stakeholders, it represents a platform to participate in a strategically located, dollar-denominated urban economy integrated into regional trade flows. Beyond infrastructure, Sri Lanka is also opening space for investment in energy, tourism, manufacturing, and digital services. Renewable energy projects, particularly solar and wind, are gaining traction as the country seeks energy security and sustainability. Meanwhile, tourism development and high-value hospitality investments continue to expand, supported by Sri Lanka’s strong brand as a destination market. The government’s renewed emphasis on investor facilitation, regulatory stability, and economic reform is aimed at ensuring that foreign businesses/investors, including Chinese enterprises with established experience in large-scale infrastructure, find a predictable and enabling environment. In this context, Sri Lanka is increasingly positioning itself not just as a participant in global supply chains, but as a strategic node connecting Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260701Z_3 |