The Embassy of Sri Lanka in France, in partnership with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, organized an “Invest in Sri Lanka” forum at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce on 05 December 2024. The event, held in hybrid mode was attended by over 15 Spanish participants and provided a valued opportunity to present the significant investment potential of Sri Lanka to Barcelona and to the Catalan region.
Welcoming the participants, senior officials of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce presented a brief introduction to the Sri Lankan market. This was followed by three informative presentations delivered via Zoom by the Executive Director of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka Prasanjith Wijayatilake; General Council Member of Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) Anuradha Gajanayaka; and Regional Manager for Investment Promotion and Marketing of the Colombo Port City Shane Amadoru.
The presenters highlighted the investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka including tourism & leisure, renewable energy, ICT, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and logistics. They also presented investment opportunities in the upcoming high-tech Colombo Port City which will host an offshore international financial center, a residential complex, and a marina. The presenters also highlighted the competitive advantage of investing in Sri Lanka due to the island’s strategic location which makes it an attractive destination to establish business in the region.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France, also concurrently accredited to Spain, Manisha Gunasekera joined the forum virtually and welcomed the opportunity to connect with Catalonia and presented the wide-ranging investment opportunities Sri Lanka. The Ambassador also elaborated on the progress in relations between Sri Lanka and Spain with the two countries poised to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
In his presentation, Counsellor (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France Gayan Rajapaksa detailed the potential for Spanish investment in Sri Lanka, with specific reference to Spanish investment received in Sri Lanka thus far, including in the tourism and leisure sectors. The presentations were followed by a Q&A session where the participants demonstrated an interest in ITC, tourism. leisure and logistics sectors, as well as in opportunities to invest and to do business in the Colombo Port City. The programme was organised with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism under its Economic Diplomacy Programme. It was also supported by the Hony. Consul of Sri Lanka in Barcelona Augustin Llanas Armet.
Catalonia is one of the wealthiest regions in Spain recording the country’s second highest GDP. The region has a rich industrial base and a robust economy that has demonstrated continued economic growth. Barcelona, the Catalan capital and largest city, is a major international cultural center and tourist destination. Spain is among the top 15 tourism source markets for Sri Lanka, with the country receiving 35,127 Spanish tourists from January to November 2024.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
France
23 December 2024
