Sri Lanka Connect 2026 positions Sri Lanka as a strategic partner for Indonesian investment
Daily FT: The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) participated in Sri Lanka Connect 2026, the Sri Lanka–Indonesia Business and Investment Forum organised by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta on 16 October 2026 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Jakarta.
Convened under the theme “Bridging Markets, Unlocking Growth”, the forum was designed to strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations by fostering two-way investment, commercial and strategic partnerships, and policy dialogue. It offered policymakers, investment promotion agencies, business leaders, and investors from both countries a platform to exchange perspectives, showcase investment opportunities, and identify new avenues for collaboration.
The forum featured a keynote address by Indonesia›s Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry Rosan Roeslani and a video message from Sri Lanka›s Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera.
The opening panel presented Sri Lanka as a strategic investment destination in South Asia, highlighting its access to regional markets, advantageous geographical location and business-friendly investment environment.
Panelists at Connect 2026 Jakarta examined why Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for foreign direct investment, including government incentives and policy support, ease of doing business, opportunities within landmark national development projects, and Public-Private Partnership opportunities. Priority sectors showcased included: Real Estate Development; Logistics and Supply Chain; Maritime and Port-related Industries; Textile and Apparel and Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Manufacturing.
The panel featured BOI Executive Director (Promotion) Ganga Palalkatiya, Colombo Port City Economic Commission Head of Branding and Communications Dhanya Gunawardana, Kalbe International Ltd., Director Rudy Santosa Irawan, and CBL Global Foods Chairperson/Group Managing Director and the Indonesia–Sri Lanka Business Council President Sheamalee Wickramasingha,. The session was moderated by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Secretary General/CEO Shiran Fernando.
The second panel turned to Indonesia as one of Asia’s fastest-growing investment destinations, supported by strong economic fundamentals, a large consumer market, progressive investment reforms and significant downstream industrial development. Discussion covered the current status of Sri Lankan investment in Indonesia, the country’s evolving investment landscape, priority sectors for foreign investors, and institutional cooperation to further strengthen bilateral investment relations.
The forum drew representatives of Indonesian conglomerates, chambers and business associations, Indonesian Government officials, Honorary Consuls of Sri Lanka and their delegations, representatives of Sri Lankan companies operating in Indonesia, media and social media influencers, and a Sri Lankan delegation including members of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The BOI will continue to engage with Indonesian investors who expressed interest during the forum, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen economic relations with Indonesia are opening new business and investment opportunities for Indonesian companies as well as investors seeking to expand their presence in South Asia, while creating scope for partnerships and joint ventures between businesses in the two countries. The recent Sri Lanka Connect 2026 Business and Investment Forum in Jakarta highlighted the growing potential for two-way investment, with Sri Lanka positioning itself as a strategic destination for Indonesian businesses looking to access regional markets and participate in emerging industries. Several sectors offer potential business/investment opportunities, particularly real estate development, logistics and supply-chain management, maritime services, port-related industries, textiles and apparel, and pharmaceuticals and healthcare manufacturing. For Indonesian businesses/investors, Sri Lanka’s strategic location along major international shipping routes, established export industries and access to regional markets provide opportunities to develop manufacturing facilities, logistics operations and distribution networks. Investments in port infrastructure, warehousing, maritime services and integrated logistics could also benefit from the country’s position in the Indian Ocean. The pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors present another area for cooperation, particularly through joint ventures involving Indonesian manufacturers and Sri Lankan companies to develop production capabilities, technology transfers and regional distribution arrangements. There is also potential for partnerships in apparel manufacturing, food processing, consumer goods and property development, with Indonesian businesses bringing capital, technology and market access while Sri Lankan partners contribute local expertise, established business networks and regional market knowledge. Sri Lankan companies, meanwhile, could explore business/investment opportunities in Indonesia’s large consumer market through export partnerships, distribution agreements and joint ventures in manufacturing and services. The involvement of the BOI of Sri Lanka, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission and bilateral business organisations could help facilitate investment matching and strengthen private-sector engagement. As both countries seek to diversify trade and investment relations, closer business cooperation could create mutually beneficial opportunities, allowing Indonesian investors to use Sri Lanka as a platform for regional expansion while enabling Sri Lankan businesses to access Indonesia’s sizeable market and industrial capabilities.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261111Z_4 |