Under Japan’s Technical Cooperation, a total of 11,057 Sri Lankan professionals and students have been trained in various fields in Japan and 1,724 Japanese Experts ad 788 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) have been dispatched to Sri Lanka up to the end of March 2009. At present, 56 Volunteers are actively working at the grassroots level and over 20 Japanese experts are working with counterparts in relevant Ministries and institutions. In order to strengthen the capacity of Northern and Eastern provincial authorities, Japan is currently involved in a project to build capacity of the local officials concerned. In addition, there are several scholarships offered by the Government of Japan to young Sri Lankan public officers in various fields of expertise. 15 officers selected for the Human Resource Development scholarship are presently pursuing their post-graduate studies in three universities in Japan

The Government of Japan also provides assistance to Sri Lanka through international agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and UN Agencies via Japan Special Fund, Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, Japan Social Development Fund, and Human Security Trust Fund etc. The Eastern and North Central Provincial Road Project, Poverty Reduction through Rural Infrastructure Maintenance, US$ 11 million (approximately Rs. 1,250 million) through IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, and ICRC for providing shelter, food, water and sanitation to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in camps. In addition, US$ 7 million (approximately Rs.800 million) was provided through seven Japanese NGOs operating in Sri Lanka under the Japan Platform Fund to meet emergency humanitarian needs in conflict affected areas.

Japan’s Role in the Private Sector of Sri Lanka

          Sri Lanka and Japan have enjoyed healthy bilateral relations in the area of trade and investments. In this regard, the Japanese presence in the private sector of this country has been maintained despite various challenges. Currently about sixty Japanese companies are operating in the country. As good corporate citizens of Sri Lanka, they have made a substantial contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy through creating employment, generating exports and transfer of technology to this country. In this regard, the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Sri Lanka are playing a coordinator role among the Japanese enterprises in Sri Lanka. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is playing an important role in further promoting bilateral trade between our two countries by disseminating trade related information and responding to various queries made by the Sri Lanka business sector.

          Improving the business environment is very crucial at this stage, especially in the context of new investment opportunities that have emerged in the entire island including the Northern and the Eastern parts of the country. We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will capture this opportunity by creating a stable macroeconomic environment and reducing the cost of doing business where businesses and industries could thrive. It is in this context that the Government-Private Joint Forum was launched last year, which forms a framework for improving the business environment for the Japanese companies operating in Sri Lanka. The regular discussions between the Sri Lankan Government, Japanese companies and the Embassy of Japan will not only benefit the Japanese companies, but will also contribute to improving the business environment in Sri Lanka. 

          One significant event on promoting the Sri Lanka and Japanese businesses is the Joint Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Japan and Japan-Sri Lanka Business Co-operation Committees which is due to hold its 16th gathering in Tokyo in 2011. This event will provide opportunity for business partners to share experiences, meet new business partners, obtain guidance and insight on investment opportunities and forge new heights in promoting and enhancing Japanese investment, bilateral trade, and tourism between the two countries.