Sri Lanka showcases investment, trade and tourism potential at FICAC South Asia meet
Daily Mirror: The government is working tirelessly with international partners to position Sri Lanka as a credible regional and global hub that fosters peace, partnerships and shared prosperity, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said recently.
She made this statement at the Fédération Internationale des Corps et Associations Consulaires (FICAC) South Asia Conference 2026, which was held in Colombo from February 1–4.
Organised under the theme “Building Bridges through Diplomacy, Trade, Investment and Sustainable Partnerships,” the conference brought together honorary consuls and senior representatives such as diplomats, business leaders, and policymakers from across South Asia, Europe, East Asia, and other regions.
The main intentions of the FICAC South Asia Regional Conference was to strengthen regional cooperation and explore new avenues for sustainable development across South Asia, by reinforcing the role of consular networks and advancing international cooperation and economic connectivity.
“Sri Lanka is honoured to host this conference at an important time in its history after the severe economic crisis of 2022,marked by depleted foreign reserves, extreme debt and significant hardships faced by our people,” Amarasuriya said.
“Under the current government, prudent fiscal management, debt restructuring, and disciplined reforms have brought Sri Lanka into a place of relative stability. Inflation has eased, reserves have strengthened and confidence is returning allowing the shift to focus from stabilisation to sustainable and inclusive growth,” she added.
However, the Prime Minister also noted that Sri Lanka also remains highly vulnerable to climate change, citing the recent impact of tropical cyclone Ditwah.
She said the cyclone affected nearly two million people through floods, landslides, infrastructure damage and agricultural losses, and underscored the scale of the climate crisis.
Under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” initiative, the government is mobilising domestic and international support to restore essential services, rebuild resilient infrastructure, and safeguard livelihoods, Amarasuriya told the audience.
“However, climate change is a challenge no nation, especially small island nations such as ours can tackle alone. It demands global cooperation, shared responsibility and innovative solutions,” she admitted.
“Programmes such as these which bring together diverse international actors are vital for shaping this collective response,” she added.
The FICAC South Asia Conference 2026 focused on international diplomacy, trade partnerships, investment opportunities and cultural exchange, to foster diplomatic relations between South Asian nations and other countries, create sustainable cross-border trade agreements and business opportunities, explore investment prospects in South Asian emerging markets, and celebrate the rich region’s rich cultural heritage.
Moreover, the evolving role of honorary consuls as facilitators of bilateral trade, promoters of investment, and catalysts for sustainable development, was also highlighted with special emphasis given to public–private partnerships, cross-border business collaboration, tourism development, and the strengthening of people-to-people links.
“Through structured dialogue with government agencies and private-sector stakeholders, delegates will gain valuable insights into Sri Lanka’s economic direction and regional opportunities,” he opined.
“We firmly believe that dialogue of this nature will translate into tangible outcomes that benefit our countries and our people,” he added.
FICAC President Nikolaos K. Margaropoulos, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra were also present at the conference.
“Sri Lanka is positioned at the historic position of maritime crossroads and is blessed with rich cultural heritage. It provides the perfect setting for strengthening our bonds and advancing our mission,” Margaropoulos said.
Margaropoulos said the world is facing unprecedented challenges and multiple crises, with profound and rapid changes also taking place in the global landscape, and called on consuls to contribute meaningfully to the world of peace, prosperity and mutual respect, through joint efforts.
“As consuls we serve as vital bridges between nations and citizens. We are diplomats in action, advocating for the welfare of our nations and communities, nurturing cultural exchange, promoting economic partnerships and facilitating cooperation across borders,” he said.
“We have an exceptional opportunity to represent our diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives, while working together to address challenges such as climate change, poverty and economic inequality and conflict resolution,” he added.
Margaropoulos also noted that this regional conference offered a significant opportunity for consuls and other diplomats to connect, share knowledge, exchange best practices and build a foundation for lasting partnerships and deeper cooperation among the nations of South Asia and beyond.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s expanding economy has presented many business/investment opportunities covering all key economic sectors in the country while local authorities are also focused on attracting more foreign businesses/investors to the country. The target of becoming a regional trade and business hub supported by Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean, the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed with many foreign countries and the improving ease of doing business environment in the country have attracted foreign businesses/investors to explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in the country. The country’s economic resilience and the steadily growing private sector have also served to boost confidence among foreign entities to explore the expanding opportunities in Sri Lanka. These foreign businesses/investors could also look at expanding operations through local collaborations given Sri Lanka’s growing private sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260216/Z_3 |