Chinese Ambassador briefs Mahanayakes on signal investments from them as positive message to international investors

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong called on the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters, in Kandy, on Thursday, and briefed the Theras on the filling stations and the refinery to be established in the country, by Chinese companies.

He told the Mahanayakes that last year the head of Sinopec came to Sri Lanka and offered investments at a time when the FDI to Sri Lanka was at a low point.Soon Sinopec will open 150 gas stations in the country, he said.

“They also plan to refine four million tonnes of crude a day. Between 120 and 140 million dollars will be invested this year on these projects,” he said.

“As Sri Lanka is gradually returning to normalcy, one of the main concerns of the government is attracting international investments. Recently, China Merchants Group signed an agreement with SLPA to jointly build the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub, the first major FDI project after Sri Lanka defaulted last year. The total investment of USD 392 million will help promote Colombo Port as an important hub,” he told the media following the meetings with the Mahanayakes.

Zhenhong added that this investment by China Merchants Group will send a strong positive message to international investors.