Minister of International Trade Malik Samarawickrema said that Chinese investors are very keen on investing Hambantota AirPort, Hambantota Economic zone, and industrial zone and are looking forward to sign MOU’s soon.

The Government was accelerating the implementation of ongoing Chinese projects valued at around US$ 6 billion including the Economic Zone, ship repair project and airport development in Hambantota.

New infrastructure projects discussed included the extension of the Southern Highway; Kandy and Ratnapura Expressways; and portable and waste water projects, he added.

The attention was focused on the Chinese assistance in the government’s development plans, such as the Western Region Megapolis project, which includes infrastructure development, involving elevated highways, light railway and utilities as well as real estate, both housing and commercial.

The Treasury has been directed to explore ways and means of mobilizing Exim Bank and China Development Bank investment for new projects, as well as strengthening cash flow and liability management of ongoing projects, official sources disclosed.

The Chinese authorities were optimistic on Sri Lanka’s prospects as a strategically located platform for trade, investment and tourism, official sources said adding that they explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation and looked forward to Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe’s ongoing visit to China to take the Sino-Lanka relationship to a new height.

Measures will also be taken to finalize the Free Trade Agreement with China which would give Sri Lanka preferential access to a market of three billion people, Minister Samarawickrema revealed .

It was agreed that considerable potential existed to build on the already rapidly increasing number of Chinese visiting Sri Lanka.