🇱🇰🇯🇵 Japan Ambassador Outlines Priorities to Strengthen Sri Lanka Economic Ties at 47th SLJBC AGM

• Strategic Focus Areas: Ambassador Akio Isomata highlighted three core priorities for bilateral growth: an effective trade and investment policy, domestic industrial policy promotion, and increased investment in renewable energy. • Policy & Trade Alignment: Encouraged Sri Lanka to adopt an export-oriented model targeting Southeast Asia and Japan. Noted that the National Export Development Plan 2026 and National Mineral Policy 2026 align with connecting Sri Lanka's export manufacturing base with India's market. • Sri Lanka–Japan Economic Corridor: SLJBC President Athulla R F Edirisinghe urged local businesses and government to capitalize on the 2025 Economic Corridor initiative proposed by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry to avoid missing future foreign direct investment opportunities. • Council Leadership (2026/27): - President: Athulla R F Edirisinghe (Hirohama Ceylon) - Senior VP: Ruwan Waidyaratne (Hayleys Advantis) - Vice President: Shamil Mendis (Spear International) - Treasurer: Rohitha Mendis (Prudential Shipping Lines) • Key Sectors Represented: Executive committee includes key players across apparel & textiles (Brandix), tea (Heritage Teas, HVA Foods), logistics, and renewable energy (Vidullanka).