The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka has unveiled plans to establish seven new investment zones across the country this year, with the aim of accelerating regional economic growth, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and creating thousands of new jobs.
BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath said the new zones will be strategically located in the Northern, North Western, Eastern, and Southern Provinces, focusing on sector-specific development.
Key Investment Zones and Focus Areas:
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Kankesanthurai (Northern Province): A 300-acre zone dedicated to apparel manufacturing and information technology (IT).
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Paranthan (Northern Province): A 200-acre zone for chemical production and industrial manufacturing.
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Mankulam (Northern Province): A 200-acre zone focused on agriculture and fisheries-based export industries.
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Iranavila (North Western Province): Targeted for tourism-related investments.
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Eravur (Eastern Province): Designed to boost local raw material production for the apparel sector, with new factories planned.
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Hambantota (Southern Province): Planned as a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Chairman Herath stressed that these zones will not only decentralize investment flows but also stimulate regional economies and significantly reduce unemployment.
