Charting a new path for economic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan, the Sri Lanka–Japan Intergovernmental Economic Policy Dialogue was successfully held yesterday (16) at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development auditorium.
A key highlight of the programme was the signing and exchange of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the relevant ministries of the two countries, formalising their collaboration on economic policy dialogue.
On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, the agreement was signed by Mr K. A. Vimalenthirarajah, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, and Mr Dharshana M. Perera, Actg. Additional Secretary (Bilateral Economic Affairs) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, the agreement was signed by Mr Matsuo Takehiko, Vice Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Mr Murotani Masakatsu Director of the Southwest Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the policy dialogue, extensive discussions were held on a roadmap to enhance economic relations between the two countries. Presentations were also made on Sri Lanka’s foreign investment policy and the existing opportunities to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
An introduction to a Road Map for creation of an industrial economic corridor and a review report on Sri Lanka’s export capacity were also presented. Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) provided a report on the existing business environment for Japanese companies in Sri Lanka, while leading Japanese firms such as Itochu and Mitsui shared their business experiences in the country.
The representatives of both countries expressed confidence that this Memorandum of Cooperation and the policy dialogue would usher Sri Lanka–Japan economic cooperation and their long-standing friendship into a new era. A working Group is to be established to operationalize the industrial economic corridor concept.
The event was attended by Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Isomata Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Adviser to the President, Renuka Weerakoon, Director General of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Krishan Balendra, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Fumihiko Kobayashi, Chairman of the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Committee and other public and private sector representatives.