As a follow up to the meeting held between the Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and Luxembourg on 31 January, 2020 in Colombo, Sri Lanka Ambassador to Belgium, the European Union and Luxembourg met with Dr. Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) on 24 September 2020. A team of senior EIB officials comprising Vice President Christian Kettel Thomsen, Director General/ Deputy Head of Operations Luca Lazzaroli, Head of Division Asia & Pacific, Public Sector Operations – Global Partners Department Edvardas Bumsteinas and Head of EIB Regional Representation for South Asia based in New Delhi Donal Cannon was also present at the meeting.
The discussion centered on the ongoing EIB activities in Sri Lanka and the possibilities of developing cooperation between Sri Lanka and the EIB in the field of Green projects. Impressed by the focus given on promoting Green projects in Sri Lanka under the National Policy Framework “Vistas of prosperity and splendor” with medium to long term objectives especially on environmentally friendly public Green transport, creation of eco-industrial zones to recycle industrial waste, development of Green building under the Green and smart cities etc., the EIB President Dr. Hoyer expressed interest to receive project proposals for consideration of funding. Concerning the proposals on developing renewable energy sector particularly wind and solar energy projects, the EIB President said that the areas proposed for financial cooperation were well within the scope of EIB and agreed to help Sri Lanka achieving the proposed targets in renewable energy sector.
The EIB President appreciated Sri Lanka’s commitment towards protection of environment, mitigation of climate change related issues and cooperation with UNFCC including sharing of details related to nationally determined targets, GHG emission reduction targets by 2030 and the progress being made to achieve SDGs.
Dr. Hoyer advised Sri Lanka to continue the technical discussion with Vice President and senior officials of the EIB, with necessary project proposals to establish the envisaged financial cooperation in investment in Green projects.
Embassy of Sri LankaBrussels
02 October 2020
