By Chandeepa Wettasinghe
Export-Import Bank of Malaysia (EXIM Malaysia) is willing to invest US$500 million in Sri Lanka, and is evaluating infrastructure, IT and energy related ventures in the country.
“Our limit for a single company is US$200 million but for countries it’s based on a number of factors such as GDP growth, credit history and ratings, and for Sri Lanka it is US$ 500 million” EXIM Malaysia Vice President and Head of Banking Department Nor Shahmir Bin Nor Shahid said.
According to EXIM Malaysia President/CEO DatoAdissadikin Bin Ali, it and other investors from Malaysia are interested in investing in roads and infrastructure which is the Sri Lankan government’s main aim, but is also keen in developing the island’s manufacturing industry, and providing funds and knowledge to construct renewable energy sources such as solar and mini hydro plants.
The bank has already approved US$10 million for a lubricant blending plant in conjunction with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and US$ 20 million for an Urban Development Authority housing complex.
Bin Nor Shahid said that construction for the lubricant blending plant to process automobile and industrial engine lubricants would commence soon as cabinet approval has been given, and will be completed in 1 ½ years.
“Sri Lanka imports a lot of finished products. The plant is built in order to control it, like Singapore; to bring in intermediate goods and be self sufficient, and one day even export finished products,” he said.

Bin Nor Shahid also expressed that while the Sapugaskanda refinery expansion plan was not heavily touched upon, EXIM Malaysia is also evaluating the feasibility of setting up a similar refinery.
Meanwhile Bin Ali added that 500 units of the 1650 unit housing complex constructed by MTD Walkers PLC have been completed and the rest would be ready within 3-5 years.

"The bank has already approved US$10 million for a lubricant blending plant in conjunction with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation"

He said that in the past the bank had loaned US$ 10 million to requisition machinery for the Sri Lanka Port Authority, and for SLT IT projects, and is seeing repayment by the government, which was a motivation to invest more following the invitation by Dr. Amunugama.
Bin Ali stated that the delegation had discussions with Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen and Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, whom expressed a need for a $ 1 billion loan.
“I wish I had a billion dollars in my pocket... We’ll have to size it up because we have the capacity but we’ll have to evaluate each project at our end, though they say they have already done evaluations,” Bin Ali said.