Now Sri Lanka is a nation at peace with the end of long civil war which lasted over 3 decades. As a result the country is improving in terms of its political, economic and social aspects and stability in these aspects is emerging. The improvisation in the country has opened up numerous investment opportunities. More specifically the tourism industry shows a tremendous restoration. From investors’ perspective investing in a country which is emerging in its economic and social aspects is more beneficial than investing in a country which is already developed and facing stagnated growth.
Supportive government policies, educated workforce, developing social infrastructure, boosting ICT setups, strategic location in the Indian ocean, access to key markets such as India, China etc., vibrant business environment are some reason that make the country attractive for foreign direct investments and other modes of investments.
There are many viable and highly potential opportunities arising in Sri Lanka such as direct investment and portfolio investment in industries such as tourism and cottage industries, real estate, infrastructure setups and establishments, apparel, knowledge services and outsourcing services, export oriented manufacturing and services, organic agriculture etc.
Out of all these options available tourism is a prime area that is booming exceptionally and has the space to unleash its potential to the maximum. Investment in tourism and hospitality industry does not only limit itself in either establishing hotels or investing in hotels. It has a wide scope of investment opportunities. For example boom in tourism boosts local handicraft and cottage industries too. To that extend the investment in tourism industry has the power.
BOI is an autonomous agency that helps the foreign investors from A to Z process. In all investment type foreigners are allowed with preferential tax rates, constitutional guarantee, exceptionable from the exchange control etc. Under direct investment option, an export oriented enterprise / foreign investor open and operates a foreign current account with foreign currency banking unit and allowed to borrow offshore. The special about Sri Lankan government is its permits up to 100% foreign participation in many sectors of the economy.
