BOI officials meet Japanese biz leaders

Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene and a delegation from the Board of Investment (BOI) held discussions with Japanese officials to boost investment and commercial activity between the two countries.

The delegation included BOI Chairman Dr. Lakshman Jayaweera and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan, Dr. Saj Mendis.

The Minister and delegation paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of Sharp Corporation and discussed strategies for the Corporation to economically engage with Sri Lanka by making investments in the sphere of manufacturing.

In Tokyo, they met the CEO and Deputy President of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Takashi Morimura and senior executive officers and discussed the implementation of the MoU signed between the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and the Board of Investment in August.

The implementation of the MoU would accrue an unprecedented quantum of investment, economic and commercial benefits to Sri Lanka, thus mutually benefitting both the countries, a BOI spokesman said.

The delegation had discussions with the Managing Executive Officer of Mizuho Bank Limited, Tatsufumi Sakai, the second largest bank in terms of assets in Japan to deepen and strengthen commercial and investment relations between the two countries.

Minister Abeywardene and delegation had a meeting with the Executive Vice President of Itochu Corporation and Chairman of Japan-Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Committee, Tadayuki Seki and officials at the corporate office of Itochu. The Itochu Corporation is one of the largest trading houses in the world and the delegation had in-depth discussions to strengthen commercial and business relations between the two countries.

They met senior officials of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), including the Director General Kazuhiko Tanaka, to discuss more pro-active cooperation between the JBIC and the Board of Investments.

The Minister and the delegation also had a constructive meeting with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) at the corporate head office. The JETRO delegation was represented by its President Satoshi Miyamoto and a senior level delegation.

The two parties focused on issues of relevance such as strategies to increase and enhance bilateral trade, investments and commercial activity between the two countries.

Apart from these meetings, the BOI delegation and Embassy of Sri Lanka officials had meetings with other corporates and potential investors as a follow up to the two investment seminars in Osaka and in Tokyo.