Sri Lanka courts Indonesian investors at Jakarta Business Forum

Sri Lanka presented itself as a strategic gateway to South Asian markets at Sri Lanka Connect 2026, a bilateral business and investment forum held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta on Friday.

Organised by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta under the theme “Bridging Markets, Unlocking Growth,” the event brought together policymakers, investment promotion agencies, business leaders and investors from both countries. The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) took part.

Indonesia’s Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry, Rosan Roeslani, delivered the keynote address, while Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera, sent a video message.

The opening panel highlighted Sri Lanka’s location, access to regional markets and business-friendly environment. Speakers covered government incentives, ease of doing business, flagship national development projects and public-private partnership opportunities. Priority sectors included real estate, logistics and supply chain, maritime and port-related industries, textiles and apparel, and pharmaceuticals and healthcare manufacturing.

A second panel looked at Indonesia as one of Asia’s fastest-growing investment destinations, citing its strong fundamentals, large consumer market, investment reforms and downstream industrial growth. Participants discussed the current state of Sri Lankan investment in Indonesia, priority sectors for foreign investors and ways to deepen institutional cooperation.

Panelists included BOI Executive Director (Promotion) Ganga Palalkatiya, Danantara Chief Economist Reza Siregar, and executives from Kalbe International, CBL Global Foods, Hayleys Aventura and MAS Holdings. Attendees included Indonesian conglomerates, chambers, government officials, Sri Lankan companies operating in Indonesia, honorary consuls and a delegation from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The BOI said it will continue engaging Indonesian investors who expressed interest, working with the Embassy in Jakarta.

The initiative is expected to help convert bilateral business interests into concrete investment partnerships, opening new avenues for capital inflows, technology transfer and market expansion while strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in regional value chains.

Source: Daily News