The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) recently hosted the fifth working-level meeting of the Sri Lanka–Japan Business Environment Committee, a platform established to address the operational and business challenges faced by Japanese investors operating in Sri Lanka.

The quarterly meeting brought together representatives of the Embassy of Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Japanese companies operating in Sri Lanka, the BOI, and relevant government institutions.

During the discussion, participating Japanese business entities were allowed to raise issues affecting their respective sectors directly, while relevant government agencies provided on-the-spot clarifications and solutions. Concerns were raised across a broad cross-section of industries, reflecting the diversity of Japanese investment in Sri Lanka.

The issues discussed spanned the following industry categories:

Manufacturing & Industrial Production

Consumer & Health Products

Value-Added Trade

Environmental Services

Infrastructure, Logistics & Energy

Discussions between government agencies and Japanese company representatives were described as productive and constructive, reaffirming the commitment of both sides to sustained dialogue, close cooperation, and effective coordination between government institutions.

The BOI's role as the principal liaison between investors and the Government of Sri Lanka was reiterated during the meeting. Participants emphasized that the Committee remains an important platform for identifying and resolving investor concerns, as well as for deepening economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.

The first meeting of the Sri Lanka–Japan Joint Working Group on Export-Oriented Industrial Corridor Development was held concurrently. This was recognised as an important milestone, expected to steer the bilateral economic partnership between the two countries in a new strategic direction.