Sri Lanka promotes mineral resources and investment opportunities in Japan
Newswire: Sri Lanka has stepped up efforts to attract Japanese investment into its mineral sector, with a high-level delegation led by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetthi visiting Japan to explore investment opportunities, technology transfer and value-added production.
According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tokyo, the Minister led a delegation of senior government officials and private-sector representatives to Japan from October 13 to 16.
As part of the visit, the Sri Lanka–Japan Mineral Sector Promotion Seminar and Investor Roundtable Discussion was held at the headquarters of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Tokyo on October 14.
The event, jointly organised by the Sri Lankan Embassy and JETRO, attracted more than 100 participants and highlighted investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s mineral sector.
Ten Sri Lankan companies showcased their products and investment opportunities, followed by business discussions with Japanese stakeholders.
The discussions focused on potential cooperation in graphite, mineral sands, quartz and other mineral resources, with particular attention to mineral processing, resource assessment, value addition and strengthening supply chains.
The Embassy stated that this was the first time the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development had organised a delegation to Japan specifically to promote a single economic sector.
The initiative forms part of efforts to develop the mineral sector as a priority under Sri Lanka’s National Export Development Programme and contribute towards the country’s target of achieving US$36 billion in exports by 2030.
During the visit, Minister Handunnetthi and the delegation also held discussions with senior representatives of several Japanese institutions, including JETRO, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Meetings were also held with Japanese government representatives to explore cooperation in geological surveys, technical capacity building, mineral processing and investment promotion.
According to the Embassy, the visit was aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka–Japan economic relations, attracting new investments and supporting Sri Lanka’s export diversification and long-term economic development.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka is seeking to attract foreign businesses/investors into its mineral sector, creating business/investment opportunities to explore mineral resources, introduce advanced processing technologies and develop value-added industries targeting global markets. The Sri Lankan Government’s latest initiative was highlighted during a visit to Japan by a delegation led by Minister Handunnetthi. A Sri Lanka-Japan Mineral Sector Promotion Seminar and Investor Roundtable held in Tokyo this month attracted more than 100 participants, showcasing investment opportunities and potential business partnerships. Key areas identified for cooperation include graphite, mineral sands, quartz and other mineral resources. Business/investment opportunities extend across mineral exploration, resource assessment, processing technology, manufacturing and the development of higher-value products for export. For foreign investors, Sri Lanka offers potential to establish mineral processing facilities, introduce modern extraction and refining technologies, and develop partnerships with local businesses. International companies could also contribute specialised equipment, technical expertise and access to established global supply chains, helping Sri Lanka move beyond exporting raw materials towards higher-value production. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Tokyo has said this was the first time the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development had organised a delegation to Japan specifically to promote a single economic sector. The initiative supports Sri Lanka’s National Export Development Programme and its target of achieving US$36 billion in exports by 2030. For international businesses/investors, the sector presents opportunities to establish strategic partnerships, expand mineral-based manufacturing and participate in regional and global supply chains, subject to project feasibility and regulatory approvals.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261026Z_1 |