US investor community hears a strong case for Sri Lanka in New York

• Macroeconomic stabilization of economy broadly on track
• Better, more facilitative capital market regulation across board
• CSE ready to play its part in national growth agenda
• Foreign speakers offer a compelling endorsement of Sri Lanka

The Invest Sri Lanka Investor Forum organised by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) in association with the CSE member firms, listed companies and supported by Asia Securities (event sponsor) and the Oxford Business Group (exclusive publication partner), drew a strong interest among the investor community in New York.
A Sri Lankan delegation including senior representatives of the CSE, SEC, stockbroker firms and listed companies attended the forum to make a collective case on the Sri Lankan capital market as an investment destination. Remarks made by policymakers and capital market leaders on the economic outlook for the country and investment opportunities surrounding progressive reforms were well-received by participants, who expressed their confidence in the way forward for Sri Lanka. 

One-on-one/group discussions between investors, which included representatives of the largest frontier and emerging market funds and Sri Lankan listed companies, were well attended and featured John Keells Holdings PLC, Commercial Bank PLC, Sampath Bank PLC, Tokyo Cement (Lanka) PLC, Teejay Lanka PLC, Dialog Axiata PLC, People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, MTD Walkers PLC and Sunshine Holdings PLC. 

Addressing the forum as the keynote speaker and at the backdrop of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reaching a staff-level agreement on the third review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility, Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy stated that the macroeconomic stabilization of the economy is broadly on track and that the structural reforms implemented over the past two years are showing signs of gaining traction. 

The governor added that the Central Bank is well advanced in putting in place a flexible inflation targeting regime. 

He said, “The narrative is that the macroeconomics are improving, you have a tremendous location, you have a shift to a growth model, which is capable of giving you more sustainable growth and the policies are being put in place to support that growth model. 

The growth framework is being strengthened through action in terms of the investment climate, investment promotion, trade facilitation and trade policy complemented by a pipeline of very ambitious projects. Sri Lanka has raised its ambition because it is now getting support from all corners of the world.” 

CSE ready to play its part in national growth agenda 

Commenting on the capital market’s role in contributing to the national agenda, CSE Chairman Ray Abeywardena stated that the CSE is fully geared to creating capital raising opportunities for both the public and private sector, which is set to make a vital contribution to the government’s Vision 2025 and empowerment of private investment-based growth. 

He added that providing a platform for state-owned enterprise reform through the stock market, facilitating the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the introduction of an SME Board and providing other equity and debt capital raising opportunities to spur growth among Sri Lankan corporate entities remains to be a key priority at the CSE.

A development drive focused on all investor segments, product diversification, improvements to governance and market infrastructure and further improvements to risk management were presented by Abeywardena as the key facets of the way forward for the Sri Lankan stock market. 

Presenting on the opportunities in the Sri Lankan capital market, CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike pitched investment in the CSE as a sound diversification opportunity with attractive valuations and returns backed by strong market fundamentals for equities. 

The presentation offered a broad perspective on the unique opportunity offered through the Sri Lankan stock market for foreign investors, to take part in a transformative economy through an exchange that on average performed better than most global indices in recent years. Further inducement offered in the form of relaxed repatriation of returns and regulations on capital gains also drew the interest of investors present at the event. 

Better, more facilitative capital market regulation across board

Discussing the salient features of the new SEC Act, SEC Commission member Dilshani Wijayawardana stated that the new securities law is set to usher in an era of stability, transparency and efficacy to the capital market. 

She added, “The new securities law will be a pillar of strength in making the capital market of Sri Lanka attractive to both international and local investors.”

SEC Director General Vajira Wijegunerwardane speaking on the reformist agenda of the capital market expressed the SEC’s continued commitment to better, more facilitative regulation across the board.

“The SEC Strategy 2020, which consists of a set of regulatory and developmental initiatives, maps an integrative growth plan for the capital market to create a robust regulatory framework, which in turn facilitates sustainable development,” he added. 

Strong endorsement for Sri Lanka’s economic direction and capital market 

Outlining that May 2009 was a turning point for the country and for foreign investors, Times Square Capital Management Senior Portfolio Manager Caglar Somek, an investor in Sri Lankan equities for over 10 years, stated that the country is now on a sustainable growth path after going through a significant transition. 

He added that the present growth and future estimates could further improve if the government continues its reform process beyond the IMF programme and attracts additional foreign direct investors.

“The investment case for Sri Lanka is getting stronger with the support of the IMF. Sri Lanka has domestic avenues for growth. According to the third party estimates such as the Economic Intelligence Unit, over 70 percent of long-term sustainable growth will likely come from the consumption and investment side of the economy, which is encouraging,” he noted. 

Commenting on the key attractions of Sri Lanka as a frontier market, he noted that Sri Lanka offers a more diversified economy, compared to other oil and commodity-heavy frontier markets. A fully-functioning democracy, an improving balance of payments situation, independent institutions, rule of law, promising social aspects, absence of capital controls and Sri Lanka’s strategic location and external growth opportunities surrounding it, were identified as key factors that could pursue foreign investors to consider Sri Lanka going forward. 

Adding to the positive sentiments expressed, NASDAQ Vice Chairman Meyer “Sandy” Frucher said, “We believe in the Sri Lanka story, which is why we are represented here at this forum. I have viewed and watched Sri Lanka for a long time and I think that the record and story is getting out there.” 
The Invest Sri Lanka event in New York was hosted on the back of a considerable level of foreign activity in the stock market in 2017, where foreign purchases during the first half of 2017 established a record for the highest foreign purchases recorded in the first half of a calendar year. Investors from the US have consistently been the leading contributors to foreign turnover in the Sri Lankan stock market and have contributed to 40 percent of the total foreign turnover since the year 2013.