Prominent investors and entrepreneurs in Australia expressed interest in investing in several key sectors in Sri Lanka, in line with the national programme to strengthen the manufacturing economy and attract foreign direct investment.

A special round of discussions took place in Clyde North, Victoria State, headed by Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti, with the participation of a government delegation including the Deputy Director General of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

Agreements were reached during the meeting to establish sustainable energy solutions through ECOGEN and sustainable recycling processes in the apparel sector through AusLoop Global Solutions.

FRMAFIRST agreed to launch a large-scale commercial dairy farm project with a capacity of 2,000 cows, alongside a modern climate-resilient livestock breeding project.

A proposal was also made to construct a large-scale 3D printing technology and component manufacturing factory using recycled plastics, centred at the Ekala Industrial Estate of the Industrial Development Board.

Discussions were also held to execute integrated aquaculture projects, eco-friendly tourist hotel projects in the Marawila area, food processing industries through OSCS Holdings, and projects involving FLEXIMAKE.

Australian investors expressed satisfaction with the transparency and credibility building within the domestic business sector under the current government, fully agreeing to commence all these projects in Sri Lanka expeditiously, according to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development.