Sri Lanka Seeks to Attract Foreign Investment, Boost Exports

10 January 2017

The Government of Sri Lanka aims to attract $50 billion in foreign investment in the next 5-10 years to help develop infrastructure, and boost exports to $20 billion by 2020. Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored Sri Lanka's plan to tap into new export markets amounting to $4 billion through free-trade agreements (FTAs) with India, China, and Singapore, and boost demand for its electronics, information technology services, and tourism.

Sri Lanka expects to sign free trade deals with India, Singapore, and China in 2017. The proposed Sri Lanka-India Economic Technology Cooperation Agreement (which promotes freer movement of goods and services between India and Sri Lanka), Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA, and the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, will form a tripartite trade and investment pact connecting South Asia and Singapore.

Sri Lanka stands to benefit from strong bilateral relations with Southeast Asia members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, in addition to its neighbors in South Asia, underscored Sri Lanka Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Harsha de Silva.


Related Links:

Nepal is set to upgrade two key highways under a $305.75-million program financed by the Asian Development Bank...

Read More


India has revived international river trade from Dibrugarh, Assam, India, sending 54 metric tonnes of methanol to Bangladesh...

Read More


The Bangladesh Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase on 6 August 2026 approved contract change orders worth more than...

Read More


Bangladesh and Maldives are exploring a direct shipping link to strengthen maritime connectivity and further deepen bilateral trade. The proposal was...

Read More


Mr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal, and Mr. Gunakar Bhatta, Nepal’s Vice-Chair of the National Planning...

Read More


Bhutan has begun construction of its temple complex in Lumbini, Nepal, on 28 June 2026, marking a major step in...

Read More


Mr. Jayant Singh, chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), shared that the LPAI plans to construct seven to...

Read More