SLTDA to highlight Tourism investment projects, FDI support programmes at SLIF 2021

Sri Lanka Tourism will be one of the key sectors highlighted at the upcoming Sri Lanka Investment Forum (SLIF) 2021, the first and largest virtual investor forum in the region scheduled to be held from 7th to 9th June 2021. Opportunities for investments in the tourism sector will be one of the key areas of the forum among 50+ sessions scheduled to reach across two time zones. Sri Lanka Tourism is participating in the forum to promote and position the island as the perfect destination for post-Covid travel and thereby attract foreign direct investors.

One of the most anticipated sessions is the Tourism Industry Panel Discussion (Track 2) is to be held on 8th June 2021, from 12.30 – 1.30 p.m. Some prominent personalities in the hospitality industry will take part in the panel discussion moderated by Hiran Cooray, Chairman/Jetwing Symphony PLC. The panellists include Krishan Balendra, Chairman/John Keells Holdings PLC; Timothy Wright, Vice President/General Manager – Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo; Pierre Pringiers, Chairman & Founder, Sail Lanka Yachting Group and Dharshan Munidasa, Co-Founder – Ministry of Crab.

The Investor Relations Unit (IRU) is the centralized promotion and facilitation centre established by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to assist potential investors interested in Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry. The IRU’s streamlined facilitation mechanism that incorporates 43 government agencies minimizes the time taken to obtain necessary approvals and manages all coordination on behalf of the investor. This facilitation mechanism is in the process of automation and will be fully online within the next few months. In addition, the IRU acts as the facilitator for compliance with regulatory requirements of the country including eligibility for financial assistance extended by the banks and provides visa recommendations during the project approval/construction/ implementation period.