Colombo Port City gains momentum as parliament approves game-changing incentives programme

• Incentives encompass guidelines for granting exemptions or incentives to businesses designated as ‘Businesses of Strategic Importance’ (BSI)

Parliamentary approval was recently granted to a comprehensive incentives programme proposed by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission in consultation with the Minister of Investment Promotion.

This initiative is poised to play a pivotal role in the transformation of the Colombo Port City into a highly competitive global special economic zone (SEZ).

The incentives encompass guidelines for granting exemptions or incentives to businesses designated as ‘Businesses of Strategic Importance’ (BSI). This was published by the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2343/60, on August 04th, 2023.

Established under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021 (Act), the Commission aims to attract global investors, promote economic stability, and position Sri Lanka as a leader in service exports. 

In accordance with the Act, the Commission identified businesses important for the success of the Colombo Port City to be designated as a BSI and recommended exemptions or incentives from the scheduled clauses of the Act.

To offer a competitive value proposition to potential investors, the Commission engaged with top international advisory firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and Boston Consulting Group for international benchmarking of selected factors. 

These collaborations resulted in a proposed framework that establishes Colombo Port City as a globally competitive SEZ with transparent regulations and good governance principles, along with proposed sector incentives.

‘Businesses of Strategic Importance’ in Colombo Port City are classified into two groups: ‘Primary Businesses of Strategic Importance’’ and Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance’. 

Primary businesses involve the development of physical infrastructure of US$ 100 million per land plot or US$ 25 million in the Marina or Social Infrastructure. Secondary businesses encompass sectors such as international trade, shipping logistics, banking and financial services, information technology, and tourism among others.

For ‘Primary Businesses of Strategic Importance’, two optional incentive schemes are available. Scheme A offers exemptions or incentives from relevant enactments for 25 years, along with 50 percent off the prevalent corporate tax rate for 10 years after the initial 25-year period. 

Scheme B provides an enhanced capital allowance of 300 percent on depreciable assets used within Colombo Port City, with deductions allowed for up to 40 years. All authorised persons thus qualified must select their preferred structure at the outset.

For ‘Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance’, there are 04 alternatives of eligibility criteria for receiving the incentives or exemptions.  

The criteria laid out are revenue, employment creation, projected enterprise valuation growth or a significant contribution to enhancing social development in Sri Lanka and creating an international financial centre within Colombo Port City. 

‘Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance’ will be eligible for exemptions or incentives from scheduled rulings of the Act for 25 years.  

The Colombo Port City Economic Commission is the focal point, for investors as the Single Window Investment Facilitator, creating a Business Enabling Environment within Colombo Port City’s multi-service, SEZ, and is also committed to fostering a successful ecosystem that attracts global investment and drives sustainable development in Sri Lanka.