Health sector attracts FDIs

The Health sector in Sri Lanka is a key area attracting local and foreign direct investments (FDIs), said Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando.

There are diverse investment projects in health including hospitals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturers, laboratories and even Ayurvedic health spas and their importance to the country cannot be disputed given that they play vital social and economical roles.

They meet one of the most important needs of mankind, namely health while the other health projects lay the foundation for the rapidly growing “Medical Tourism” sector, the Chairman said.

Over Rs.12 billion has been invested on BOI projects in the health sector in the Western, Southern and Central Provinces. There are more opportunities for health sector projects in the North, North Central, and Eastern Provinces, he said.

”Investments in health sector projects also create opportunities for skilled personnel such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians and many others. The employment opportunities created for over 6,000 staff by BOI projects, goes beyond mere employment generation, and should be seen as a value addition to the country and society, the Chairman said.

At present BOI health projects include 19 hospitals, while the remaining nine projects include an eye hospital, teaching hospital, dental hospital, cancer prevention hospital and the manufacture of medical and pharmaceutical products, the Chairman said.

The new hospital projects and other health projects have transformed society. Sri Lanka now has a modern medical sector that can address most of its needs.

L.S. A W