02/10/2025
We were honored to welcome H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Honorable President of Sri Lanka, during his official visit to Japan.
As part of this important visit, JETRO organized a business forum in partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Committee, and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI). The forum focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and collaboration opportunities between our two nations.
H.E. President addressed the forum inviting Japanese business community to explore Sri Lanka’s emerging economic opportunities, while further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between Japan and Sri Lanka and encouraging private sector participation.
Moreover, we had warm remarks and insightful presentations by Mr. Ishiguro Norihiko, JETRO Chairman and CEO, Mr. Kobayashi Fumihiko, Japan-Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Committee, Hon. Ogushi Masaki, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Adviser to the President on Digital Economy, Mr. Shimano Toshiyuki, Director for Southwest Asia Region – Trade Policy Bureau of METI, Ms. Kawashima Miwako, CEO of Ito Spring Co., Mr. Tanaka Nobuyuki, Factory Manager of Tos Lanka, Ms. Arunya De Silva, Assistant Director – Desk Officer for Japan of BOI, and Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
At the networking session, over 20 Sri Lankan companies led by the Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council (SLJBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce engaged in an active dialogue with Japanese companies who participated in the event.
In addition to the forum, Mr. Ishiguro, Chairman and CEO of JETRO had a fruitful meeting with H.E. President for Japanese companies’ business development and investment in Sri Lanka. Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Professor Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe, Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to Japan, Ms. Okumura Akiko, Executive Vice President of JETRO, Mr. Oi Hiroki, Resident Representative of JETRO Colombo, H.E. Isomata Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka also participated in the meeting.
This engagement highlights the shared commitment of Japan and Sri Lanka to deepening economic ties and creating avenues for cooperation. JETRO remains committed to supporting this mission by acting as a bridge between Japanese companies and Sri Lankan companies.