Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Rohitha Bogollagama invited the Japanese investor community to invest in Sri Lanka and reap the benefits under the FTA’S Sri Lanka which has entered into with India and Pakistan.

Addressing Japanese business delegates at the inauguration ceremony of the 14th Annual meeting of Sri Lanka Japan Business co-orporation committee in Tokyo the Minister said that the Japanese investors might be unaware of the excellent investment climate and the advantages of the Free Trade Agreements and the EU GSP+ schemes that Sri Lanka has to offer. We have access to the Indian subcontinent through the Indo -Lanka and Pakistan –Lanka Free Trade Agreements.

"A manufacturer can produce goods in Sri Lanka and export to both India and Pakistan free of duty or at a very concessionary rate. We are also able to export 7200 products to the European Union under the GSP+ scheme," said the Minister.

He went on to say that Sri Lanka will be the centrepoint to Europe, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.

During his speech the Minister brought to the notice of the participants of the European Union regulations banning the LTTE.The Government led by President Mahinda Rajapakse is sincerely committed to a negotiated settlement to the ongoing ethnic problem.

Sri Lanka Ambassador in Japan Ranjith Uyangoda, Chairman Sri Lanka Japan Business Co-orporation Council Das Wijeratna, Chairman Japan Sri Lanka Business Co-orporation Council Minoru Murafushi was also present at the meeting. Representatives of over 200 leading Japanese companies took part at the meeting followed by the business promotion seminar.