Sri Lanka advised to launch ‘image building’

Sri Lanka was recently advised to launch an aggressive image building campaign to make it much easier to attract new investments to the country.
High Commissioner for Australia in Colombo, Ms. Kathay Klugman recently addressing the Sri Lanka - Australia - New Zealand Business Council acknowledging the difficulties faced by the local business community in doing business with Australia said: “Business community is left with less options due to the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka. What needs to be done is image building by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia. When Australians contact us in Colombo we do the same by giving success stories which will encourage them to start doing business with Sri Lanka. However, if there is an escalation of conflict, the image building efforts has to be very aggressive.”
High Commissioner in her capacity to develop the bilateral trade relations stated that Australia is keen on staring renewable energy investment in Sri Lanka.
“I have met Basil Rajapaksa and have discussed how Australia could start a new business venture while help reducing the energy cost of the nation. This is to introduce Australian solar technologies and renewable energy programmes to the Eastern part of Sri Lanka. However, these will be on a commercial basis but not as grants. Investments are welcome to Australia and the Government has already identified 27 areas which need to be liberalised after discussing with the State Governments,” she added.
Commenting on the regional growth and the Australia’s role, the High Commissioner went on to say that China and India has already strengthened its ties with Australia which will have a good impact on other countries in the region.
“The newly elected Government in Australia is very much concerned in building presence in the region. China happens to be one of the largest trading partners of Australia. The links with India is growing rapidly as it has become an outward looking country during the last few years. They try to fore see the country’s requirements which has made them to open-up,” she explained.