Sri Lanka’s MRIA RFP process to begin within two-and-a-half months
The Morning: The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation is hopeful of completing the evaluation of the Expressions of Interest (EOIs) received for the development of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and issuing Requests for Proposal (RFPs) to qualified bidders within two-and-a-half months.
Speaking to The Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that the EOI process for the development of the MRIA, which had been successfully completed in August, had attracted 19 interested parties.
Commenting on the current stage of the process, he said that some of the bidders had had certain questions related to the process, which the ministry had answered.
He said that the ministry was presently evaluating the 19 bids received under the EOI process.
“There are certain things that must be done in the EOI process from the Government side. We recently had a meeting with the President where we considered these matters and identified the extent of facilities, such as electricity and network, that we can provide,” he said.
Accordingly, he said that the ministry, which was in the process of formulating the RFP documents, was hopeful of commencing the RFP process within two-and-a-half months.
Speaking to The Morning Business earlier this year, the Deputy Minister revealed plans to invite fresh EOIs under multiple service categories for the comprehensive and holistic development of the airport, opting to cancel the EOI process commenced by the previous regime, which had called only for a passenger operator for the MRIA.
Accordingly, a fresh Cabinet paper was filed seeking fresh EOIs for the restructured project under several service categories.
At the time, the Deputy Minister explained that the restructured project was to be segmented into distinct categories for which EOIs would be solicited separately, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), Passenger Operations, Cargo, Hotel and Hospitality Services, and Flying Schools.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic expansion and infrastructure development programme is creating a range of business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses and investors across aviation, logistics, tourism, energy and related services. The proposed comprehensive development of the MRIA is one example, with 19 parties having expressed interest in the project. Beyond passenger operations, opportunities could emerge in airport management, cargo and logistics, ground handling, aviation-related services, commercial facilities, hospitality and other ancillary activities as the Government moves towards the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage. The wider development programme is also opening space for private investment in port and maritime services, renewable energy and energy storage, tourism infrastructure, healthcare, skills development, agriculture and food processing, logistics and industrial services. Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean, proximity to major South Asian markets and expanding connectivity provide business/investment opportunities for investors seeking to establish regional operations, while infrastructure projects can create demand for technology, engineering, construction, management and specialised services. For foreign investors, the emerging opportunities extend beyond large-scale infrastructure projects to public-private partnerships (PPPs), supply-chain services, export-oriented manufacturing and value-added industries, particularly where private-sector expertise and technology can complement Government-led development.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261012Z_2 |