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BOI targets Tamil diaspora in USA, Canada:
Investors go for high-rise buildings in Jaffna
by Shirajiv SIRIMANE
Several local and foreign investors have shown an interest in
infrastructure projects and are also keen on constructing high-rise
buildings in the Jaffna peninsula. These are for mixed development
projects where housing and offices would be combined.
The BOI is currently finalizing plans to launch an extensive
investment promotion drive in USA and Canada specially targeting the Sri
Lankan Tamil diaspora. “There are over a million Sri Lankan nationals
overseas and many of them wish to invest in Sri Lanka. There is a large
Tamil community overseas and our delegation which leaves next week led
by Minister of Investment Promotion, Anura Yapa would target this
segment,” said Chairman, Board of Investment, Dhammika Perera.
“The BOI would also promote the concept of ‘making Jaffna your second
home’ during this visit,” he said.
With the envisaged development to the North, several major
infrastructure projects have already got off the ground and officials in
the private and Government sector need office space and quality houses
in the peninsula. “These high-rise buildings would fill this void.” In a
bid to facilitate their investments in the North, the BOI will open an
office in Jaffna soon. A BOI office in Jaffna will help expedite the
development plan envisaged by the BOI.
The BOI has identified potential land for various development
projects in the provinces with the Government Agent, Jaffna and have
discussed with investors a scheme to develop private schools,
particularly a Medical College, universities and hospitals. He said the
Government has also formulated a plan to offer long-term tax holidays
and several other benefits to entrepreneurs who invest in the North and
East.
The BOI chief also said that their mission to Indonesia last week too
was very successful. “The mission had two important elements - it was
economic and political. On the economic front, we had some very fruitful
meetings, as we were able to hold discussions with some of the leading
chambers and entrepreneurs from a nation of over 200 million. This will
lead to strengthen ties with the private sector in Indonesia.” On the
political front, the mission provided our delegation a unique
opportunity where we were able to study Indonesia’s experience in Aceh.
“Indonesia faced a conflict similar to Sri Lanka and has taken steps to
address some of the root causes of that conflict.”
Perera said that Presidential Advisor, Basil Rajapaksa and he had the
opportunity to meet some of the rehabilitated combatants of Aceh and
there were many lessons for Sri Lanka to learn from the Indonesian
experience.”
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