EU seeks 5-yr visas for investors
View(s):Sri Lanka has taken a favourable outlook towards granting foreigners residing in the country with 5-year visas and has discussed possibilities of EU companies vying for tenders called by the state. This was brought to the fore during a discussion between the Board of Investment (BOI) and the International Development Minister Malik Samarawickrama with members from the European Delegation in Colombo led by its Ambassador Tung Lai Margue as part of the EU- Sri Lanka dialogue, a media release by the BOI stated.
The ambassador had raised issues concerning investment in Sri Lanka relating to lease of land; ownership of property and the possibility of providing a 5-year visa for investors in the country.
Another area which was discussed included transparent tender procedures to ensure that companies from the EU can also bid for Sri Lankan Government tenders, the release said.
Moreover, the Sri Lanka Government was seeking the possibility of setting up a central portal where planned projects would be listed.
Both sides also discussed matters relating to customs including facilitation and also a clear definition of what constitutes “used cars”. The EU delegation raised specific instances of companies that needed assistance with the Sri Lankan side, the release said. The question of colour coding of food of sugar levels was also discussed by the EU side.