Member countries of the SAARC now have the opportunity to invest in the Colombo International Financial City and enjoy benefits from the emerging economy of Sri Lanka, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake said.

Addressing the 8th SAARC Finance Ministers’ meeting held in Islamabad last week, Minister Karunanayake invited SAARC nations to partner with Sri Lanka and invest in business ventures in the Colombo International Financial City using its strategic geographical location.

The invitation was based on the tremendous progress made by the Asian countries during the recent years coupled with the ever expanding opportunities on offer to enhance the economic standings of SAARC nations. 

This century provides Asia an equal playing field to seek and conquer many challenges in securing success and prosperity economically, which had been eluding us for many decades and of course somewhat deprived as well in the past, Karunanayake said.

“I wish to elaborate on the new dimension of democracy unfolding in Sri Lanka since our government on a platform of good governance and transparency took office in the 2015.”

Draconian and dictatorial powers previously vested on a most powerful Presidency had been whittled down, independent commissions installed and most importantly a Bill on Right to Information had been enacted,” Karunanayake noted. The first meeting of the SAARC Finance Ministers was held in 2005.