Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe has invited Indian businesses to invest in Sri Lanka and become partners in the country’s next phase of economic growth, highlighting opportunities in manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, logistics and industrial development.
The Deputy Minister extended the invitation during an official visit to New Delhi from October 22 to 23, where he held discussions with Indian industry representatives, technology institutions, international media organisations and members of the diplomatic community.
According to the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi, the visit focused on Sri Lanka’s transition from economic stabilisation to sustainable growth, attracting foreign investment and strengthening bilateral cooperation in industry, technology and entrepreneurship.
A key highlight of the visit was Abeysinghe’s participation in the NDTV World Summit 2026 on October 22, where he joined a discussion titled ‘Sri Lanka’s Economic Reset: Recovery, Resilience and the Road Ahead’.
Addressing the summit, the Deputy Minister expressed appreciation to the Indian government and its people for their assistance during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022.
He outlined the progress achieved in restoring financial stability, restructuring debt and implementing structural reforms, noting that Sri Lanka’s next major challenge was to translate its economic recovery into sustained growth.
Emphasising the importance of greater integration with global markets, Abeysinghe highlighted ongoing trade reforms, including the removal of para-tariffs, aimed at improving competitiveness and facilitating further free-trade agreements.
He said Sri Lanka was seeking to position itself as a regional hub for trade, industry, technology, research and development, logistics, value addition and skilled talent.
Inviting international investors to participate in the country’s economic transformation, the Deputy Minister stated, “Don’t just support Sri Lanka’s recovery, be part of its growth.”
Abeysinghe identified manufacturing, agricultural value addition, logistics, renewable energy, marine industries and technology as key sectors offering opportunities for cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.
He also outlined plans to establish new industrial zones through the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), with the aim of expanding industrial capacity and attracting local and foreign investment.
The Deputy Minister further highlighted government efforts to simplify investment procedures, digitise public services and strengthen regulatory clarity to create a more favourable business environment.
During the visit, Abeysinghe held discussions with several Indian business organisations, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Chamber for Industrial Trade and Economic Cooperation (CITEC), the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and the Federation for Global Economic and Cultural Relations (FGECR).
The discussions, held on October 23, focused on expanding industrial and commercial partnerships, encouraging Indian investment in Sri Lanka, facilitating technology transfers and promoting collaboration between enterprises in both countries.
Particular attention was given to opportunities in manufacturing, information technology, renewable energy, logistics and value-added production.
The Deputy Minister also visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on October 23 to explore potential partnerships between India’s innovation ecosystem and Sri Lanka’s emerging startup sector.
Discussions at IIT Delhi focused on startup incubation programmes, institutional and legal frameworks supporting early-stage businesses, and strengthening connections among universities, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and the private sector.
The engagement also explored opportunities for institutional partnerships, knowledge-sharing and connecting Sri Lankan entrepreneurs with India’s established innovation networks. Abeysinghe also interacted with startups developing innovative solutions with international market potential.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister engaged with leading Indian media organisations, including NDTV, WION and Times Now, to highlight Sri Lanka’s economic priorities, investment opportunities and commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with India.
He also met several ambassadors based in New Delhi who are accredited to Sri Lanka, outlining the country’s industrial development agenda and encouraging stronger commercial engagement.
As part of the investment outreach, Abeysinghe invited Indian businesses to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, the country’s flagship international trade exhibition, as a platform to explore investment, trade and partnership opportunities.
The Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi stated that the engagements were aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, expanding industrial capacity and building mutually beneficial partnerships with Indian businesses. (Newswire)