BOI joins global pledge to boost gender equity in FDI-mandated organisations

The Board of Investment (BOI) Sri Lanka recently joined a global pledge initiated by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Centre to promote gender equity among the FDI-mandated organisations in the country. 

The ‘Pledge Amongst Investment Promotion Agencies, Economic Development Boards and Ministries of Investment to Advance Gender Equity in FDI’ aims to integrate gender equality into investment promotion strategies and apply a gender lens across operations and services in the FDI sector. 

By signing the pledge, the BOI Sri Lanka has committed to implementing at least three of the nine outlined action areas designed considering the varying mandates, resources and developmental stages of the signatory agencies. 

The pledge is set to be effective from May 2024 to April 2027 and will be reviewed after the initial three-year period to assess its impact and progress. 

“Women, as a significant element for economic prosperity, are intrinsically linked to sustainable development. A significant impact FDI can have in advancing gender equality through job creation, reducing gender pay disparities and sharing best practices,” BOI Director General Renuka Weerakoon commented during the signing of the pledge.