Sri Lanka intensified its efforts this month to attract Middle Eastern investment as the country seeks to convert its recent economic stabilisation into sustained foreign capital inflows. Senior government officials and market regulators led investment forums in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, pitching Sri Lanka’s recovery story and the potential opportunities for Gulf investors.

At the Invest Sri Lanka events held in Dubai and Riyadh, policymakers highlighted that reforms under the IMF-backed stabilization programme are beginning to rebuild confidence among international investors. Sri Lanka faced a severe economic crisis culminating in a sovereign debt default in 2022 but has since regained macroeconomic stability, supported by fiscal discipline, remittance inflows, and structural policy changes.

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe told bankers in Dubai that the economy is now in a “stronger position than before the crisis” and that the nation is open for business. He invited UAE banks and financial institutions to reengage with Sri Lanka’s financial markets and play a role in financing reconstruction after Cyclone Ditwah devastated infrastructure in December.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Chathuranga Abeysinghe emphasised the “great opportunity” for Gulf investors across multiple sectors including tourism, information technology, minerals, agriculture, and renewable energy. He urged potential investors to reassess Sri Lanka’s prospects and experience the positive sentiment within the country firsthand.

The outreach in Riyadh focused more sharply on capital market opportunities, with officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Colombo Stock Exchange providing details on market reforms, regulatory safeguards, and potential listings designed to enhance transparency and investor protection.

The initiative comes as Sri Lanka continues to implement structural reforms aimed at improving its business climate and rebuilding key sectors of the economy. The government’s approach seeks to deepen diplomatic and economic ties with the Gulf region, tapping into new pools of foreign direct investment while strengthening long-term partnerships.