Investment opportunities offered through Port City Colombo were highlighted at the “Invest Sri Lanka” Investor Forum held on August 17 at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park in Australia.
Port City Colombo was a collaborative partner of the forum, which brought together investors, business leaders and other key stakeholders to explore Sri Lanka’s investment opportunities and capital market potential.
Thulci Aluwihare, deputy managing director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, highlighted the special economic zone’s potential to provide international investors with greater flexibility in conducting cross-border business.
“You can invest in Australian dollars in Port City Colombo. Some of the restrictive repatriation and capital account rules that apply across South Asia do not apply in the Port City,” Aluwihare was quoted by the Daily Mirror.
Adding, “The capital account is more relaxed because you are bringing your business capital from overseas, and your source markets and revenues are also overseas. That creates a much more flexible environment for international investors.”
READ MORE: Global grain trade hit hardest by worsening Black Sea attacks according to data
The Sydney Forum
The Sydney Forum, hosted by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka and the Colombo Stock Exchange, in collaboration with Port City Colombo and the Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia, was the first of a series of “Invest Sri Lanka” events held in Sydney and Melbourne from August 17 to 20.
“There will be a reallocation of funds into the frontier markets. And we are confident that Sri Lanka will be in a good position to attract a good amount of funds to be reinvested and reallocated into the frontier markets,” Ray Abeywardena, Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange, said in his opening remarks.
Inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Additionally, SEC chairman senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara said Sri Lanka’s capital market will play a key role in mobilising investment and supporting the country’s transition toward inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
He also encouraged the Sri Lankan diaspora and international investors to participate in the country’s growth through the “Invest Sri Lanka” forums.
The initiative sought to attract institutional investors and members of the Sri Lankan diaspora while showcasing developments in the country’s capital market and broader investment environment.
READ NEXT: Shein to make highly-anticipated debut on Hong Kong stock exchange
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Diana Mae Y. Cleto 
Anna Ferraz