Global & International Business
View all(60)US Reaffirms Commitment to Deepening SL Ties 🤝
• US Ambassador Julie Chung called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday. • The Ambassador reaffirmed the US commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Sri Lanka. • Discussions focused on expanding cooperation and opportunities that advance US interests while benefiting both nations. • The US looks forward to continued progress in 2026.
German-SL Pro Urges Diaspora & Global Investment in SL 📈
• Germany-based professional, Thushaan Kunabalasingam, urges the Sri Lankan diaspora and international companies to invest, citing a "conducive environment" and that the country is "on the right track" under the new administration. • He is focusing on strengthening economic cooperation with Germany across three key sectors: Cruise Tourism, Education, and Cuisine/Hospitality partnerships. • For Cruise Tourism, he is leveraging networks to bring large international liners (5,000–7,000 passenger vessels) to Colombo, aiming to make SL a key Indian Ocean hotspot. • German company Livecookintable (modular cooking systems) is conducting a feasibility study to establish operations in Colombo by 2027, focusing on the hospitality sector. • A parallel, non-commercial initiative is actively promoting SL's Education sector via university partnerships, student exchanges, and joint research with institutions including UoM, UoC, and UoJ.
🤝 Trade Boost: SL-Hainan Officials Meet to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
• Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, met with YAN Xijun, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hainan Provincial People’s Council in Colombo. • The central agenda of the meeting was to discuss and strengthen bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and China's Hainan Province. • The discussion focuses on enhancing economic cooperation and exploring opportunities for mutual trade expansion. 📈
🚨 Fitch: Political Flare-Ups Risk for APAC EM Sovereigns in 2026
• Fitch Ratings projects political flare-ups will remain a key credit risk for several Asia-Pacific emerging market sovereigns in 2026. • This follows significant political unrest seen in 2025 in countries including Indonesia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, and the Philippines. • Economic Impact: Instability typically hurts near-term economic activity by damaging consumer and business confidence. • External balances face risk as inflows of tourists, remittances, or investment may be negatively affected, alongside potential capital outflows. • Sustained tensions can be a significant drag, potentially pressuring governments to loosen fiscal policy, negatively affecting public finances. • The risk is amplified if unrest leads to government falls or major shifts in established institutions/policy. • Resilience: Sovereigns with strong credit buffers, such as lower debt and larger fiscal/external reserves, are better positioned to withstand temporary disruption. (e.g., Nepal's 'BB-' rating affirmation cited its strong external liquidity and modest debt).
📈 SL Tourism Shines at 8th Travel Expo Ankara
• Sri Lanka successfully showcased its vibrant and diverse tourism potential at the 8th Travel Expo Ankara (Nov 20–22, 2025), organized by the SL Embassy in Türkiye. • The SL stand generated significant interest among travel professionals, investors, and media, highlighting strengths in destination, cultural, wellness, and adventure tourism. • Visitors were treated to authentic Sri Lankan value-added products, with Ceylon tea being served throughout the event. • High visibility was achieved through extensive Turkish media coverage, including TV channels, YouTubers, and bloggers. • Ambassador Niluka Kadurugamuwa held key meetings with Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism and the President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce to strengthen bilateral cooperation in tourism and related sectors. • The influential platform welcomed approximately 10,000 participants and exhibitors.
🇬🇧 SL Promotes Major Mineral Sector Investment in UK 📈
• The Sri Lanka High Commission in London, in partnership with Capital Metals PLC, hosted a promotional event to attract UK investors to the mineral sector, specifically focusing on the Taprobane Minerals Project. • The project, based on high-grade ilmenite resources, has significantly expanded estimated resources (nearly fifteenfold) in its initial development area. • Key economic profile includes a base-case IRR of 73% and an NPV8 of US$ 180 million. Funding is secured. • Timeline: Commercial operations are expected by early 2026, with first production scheduled for early 2027. • High Commissioner highlighted SL's improved economic environment, including stable exchange rates, growing reserves/exports/tourism, and the forthcoming Investment Protection Act to safeguard foreign investors. • The initiative aims to leverage the mineral sector for sustainable investment, employment creation, and foreign exchange growth.
SL Economic Summit 2025 Sells Out: Global Interest High 📈
• The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, is officially sold out with over 850 total participants. • Theme: ‘Gateway to Growth – Asia’s Emerging Opportunity’. • Dates: 2 & 3 December. • Global Presence: Includes over 100 international delegates from more than 20 countries (e.g., China, India, Japan, USA, Singapore, Germany), reflecting the Summit's role in reconnecting with Sri Lanka’s economy. • Agenda Focus: Over 40 speakers will cover key growth sectors including trade, investment, renewable energy, technology, logistics, tourism, and financial services. • Participants will gain insights into new reforms and economic recovery direction from senior policymakers. • B2B and Government-to-Business networking sessions are scheduled to explore trade and investment opportunities.
🚨 Cabinet Clears Next Stage for Sri Lanka's Entry into RCEP Trade Bloc! 📈
• The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to proceed with the next formal stage of accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). • This crucial step allows Sri Lanka to complete and submit the detailed initial questionnaire required by existing RCEP members. The deadline for submission is 25 January 2026. • RCEP is the world's largest free trade arrangement, covering nearly a third of global GDP. Member states commit to eliminating 85–90% of tariffs over time. • SL’s goal is to diversify export markets, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen the country's position within regional and global supply chains. • The Government is also concurrently evaluating other key trade agreements that had been stopped midway.
SL Requests Canada to Curb Separatist Activity 🤝
• Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath requested Canadian High Commissioner Isabelle Catherine Martin to curb activities on Canadian soil endorsing separatist narratives tied to Sri Lanka, specifically mentioning the public display of LTTE symbols. • Herath stated that groups in Canada continue to organise events and campaigns that attempt to revive separatist sentiment, which undermines Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen reconciliation and community relations. • He warned that unchecked activism risks creating misunderstandings between the two countries and asked for these concerns to be communicated to Ottawa. • High Commissioner Martin affirmed Canada’s support for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She reiterated that the LTTE remains listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and its related imagery is not recognised by the government.
SL Business Delegation Boosts India-Lanka Ties at CII Partnership Summit 2025 🤝
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ILCCI) successfully led a high-level Sri Lankan business delegation to the prestigious CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. • The delegation, led by CCC CEO Mr. Buwanekabahu Perera, participated in the premier forum alongside India's top leadership, including Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. • Sessions focused on critical areas such as global trade, investment, digital transformation, and regional cooperation, offering valuable insights into India’s evolving economic landscape. • A core component was a structured series of Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings, facilitating direct linkages with potential Indian and international partners. • The mission played a pivotal role in strengthening commercial connectivity between Sri Lanka and India, aiming to open doors for trade partnerships, joint ventures, investment collaboration, and technology exchange. • Participation in such platforms is deemed essential for enhancing Sri Lanka’s economic diplomacy efforts and improving market access for the country’s business community.
✈️ Key Discussions on Resuming BIA Expansion Phase II
• Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake held discussions with Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). • The meeting focused on the restart of the second phase of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) development project. • This signals progress towards the resumption of a crucial infrastructure initiative, pending previous delays.
✈️ Key Discussions on Resuming BIA Expansion Phase II
• Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake held discussions with Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). • The meeting focused on the restart of the second phase of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) development project. • This signals progress towards the resumption of a crucial infrastructure initiative, pending previous delays.