The Government is ready to facilitate for the establishment of a regional headquarters of the China Development Bank in the vicinity of the Colombo Port City, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Tuesday (30) said.
He said so, during an online diplomatic meeting held between high-profile delegation of the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China and Parliament of Sri Lanka, including China including the third citizen of China Li Zhanshu (Speaker of Parliament of China).
Rajapaksa also sought China’s support in more future investments in Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, the government has requested Speaker of China to look into to the USD 1.5 billion fiscal transfer between the two Central Banks as a measure to overcome the current economic challenge which is at halt due to some issued in the context of the technicalities of the agreement.
Apart from the Finance Minister, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ministers Namal Rajapaksa, Dinesh Gunawardena, Prof. G.L. Peiris and several other MPs attended the meeting.
Speaker Abeywardena sought the assistance of the Government of China in overcoming the economic challenges posed by the current COVID situation to which the Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee assured full support.
China will provide investment facilities for other investments, including the Colombo Port City Project, NPC Standing Committee Chairman of China said.
He also assured that as Sri Lanka is a close friend of China, he would extend his fullest support to the Sri Lankan economy and is committed to furthering this discussion. Adding to it, he further stated that a delegation visits between the two countries once the COVID situation has settled would help enhance mutual cooperation.