Industry & Retail

Sri Lanka’s commitment to being conducive to private-sector business development is reflected in its marked orientation towards trade and investor-friendly encouragement of foreign direct investment. Building on its strategic location at the gateway to India and between the Middle East, Africa and South-east Asia, the government of Sri Lanka is pushing an agenda of open and free-market economic policy to promote and expand trade and economic links, with the ultimate goal of becoming a regional trade centre. An up-and-coming middle class with disposable income and a preference for spending over saving, in addition to a strong economy with mounting tourism receipts and few restrictions on foreign investment, make Sri Lanka a favourable destination for retail investors of all stripes.

This chapter contains interviews with Indira Malwatte, Chairwoman, Sri Lanka Export Development Board; Ashok Pathirage, Chairman and Managing Director, Softlogic Group; and Dilith Jayaweera, Chairman, George Steuart Group.