By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW):The report has suggested a strategic response to transforming the economy, focusing on four priority sectors in which Indo-Japanese collaboration is sought to put the country on a sustainable growth trajectory for a structural shift.
In his welcome remarks at the launching ceremony of the report, Pathfinder Foundation Chairman Bernard Goonetilleke, highlighted that two countries – India and Japan as very close development partners of Sri Lanka, who have much to contribute to reviving Sri Lanka’s economy.
He added, “India’s interest in the welfare of the country and its people was evident in the granting of generous credit and other facilities amounting to almost $ 4 billion in the recent past to overcome the economic crisis.
Likewise, Japan has been a country which has generously provided economic support going back many decades.”
The Official Launch of the Report on “A Medium and Long-term Strategy for Indo-Japanese Collaboration to Support the Economic Transformation of Sri Lanka”, prepared by the Pathfinder Foundation with the assistance of a panel of experts, was held in Colombo.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri was the event›s Chief Guest, with High Commissioner of India Gopal Bagley, and Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi Hideaki gracing the occasion.
The event was organised in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), Geneva and attended by representatives from several government and private sector agencies. Bernard Goonetilleke. Chairman, Pathfinder Foundation; handed over the Report to Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri.
The report has suggested a strategic response to transforming the economy, focusing on four priority sectors in which Indo-Japanese collaboration is sought to put the country on a sustainable growth trajectory for a structural shift
In his address, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, highlighted some important points for consideration.
He urged all think tanks, such as the Pathfinder Foundation, to look into areas a typical politician would not comprehend and push for necessary changes.
He also reiterated that a politician should have the humility to listen and learn from experts on the subject, encouraging think tanks to engage with the public and share populist policies.
Ambassador Gopal Bagley pointed out that Sri Lanka occupies a unique place in India’s foreign policy mainly due to the neighbourhood-first policy of India. He added that India stands ready to assist Sri Lanka in overcoming the current economic crisis.
Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki expressed his hope that this year will be the beginning of an economic revival providing a springboard for future development for Sri Lanka.
He also mentioned that Japan had been a long-standing partner in Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic development.
