The session, co-chaired by Mr. Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Martin Klose, Chief Delegate of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka), marked a significant milestone in strengthening economic relations between the two countries.
The Chairman of the BOI emphasized that Germany was the first EU and Western country visited by His Excellency the President since assuming office signaling Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to enhancing ties with Germany and the broader European Union.
The session brought together key stakeholders, including H.E. Varuni Muthukumarana, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Germany (joining virtually), officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the BOI Director General, and representatives from 15 prominent German companies operating in or interested in entering the Sri Lankan market.
A summary of the high-level discussions held in Berlin was presented, underscoring Sri Lanka’s status as an investor-friendly destination and highlighting recent economic reforms and strategic plans aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). German business participation spanned diverse sectors including healthcare, finance, logistics, tourism, renewable energy, vocational education, manufacturing, and services.
Companies with existing operations in Sri Lanka expressed interest in expansion, while several new German businesses showed readiness to explore opportunities in the country. However, the dialogue also revealed shared concerns among investors. Key challenges identified included the need for:
- A consistent and reliable policy framework
- Macroeconomic and financial stability
- Transparent procurement procedures
- Equal treatment for all foreign investors
- Greater ease of doing business
- Improved coordination between government institutions
- Enhanced skills development in the services sector
To address these issues and ensure continuous momentum, a proposal was tabled to establish a dedicated steering committee to facilitate ongoing dialogue and cooperation between Sri Lankan authorities and the German business community.
Ambassador Muthukumarana emphasized the importance of following through on the outcomes of such high-level engagements, noting Germany’s role as a strategic partner in trade, tourism, and political affairs.
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Martin Klose, reaffirmed AHK Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing bilateral economic cooperation and encouraged both Sri Lankan and German enterprises to utilize the AHK Sri Lanka’s platform for achieving sustainable business growth. He also went on to thank Dr. Volker Treier from DIHK, Mr. Tobias Pierlings from BMWE, and representatives from APA and OAV for making this important dialogue possible.
AHK Sri Lanka is part of the German Chamber Network supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). With 150 locations in 93 countries around the world, the members of the German Chamber Network (AHKs) offer their experience, connections, and services to German and companies of the respective partner countries. AHKs are located in all countries of particular importance to German companies and are closely connected to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Germany.
