Port City Colombo Strengthens Investment Engagement Across UAE, Oman and Qatar through a structured seven-day roadshow spanning Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Doha, bringing together senior business leaders, investors, institutional stakeholders, and government representatives to explore Sri Lanka’s investment proposition and opportunities within the Port City Colombo Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The roadshow was a direct response to the momentum generated by Port City Colombo’s Gulf outreach programme throughout 2026 and the specific interest from the Gulf investment community in engaging more closely with Sri Lanka’s investment proposition.
Investor Forum Held in Abu Dhabi
The centrepiece of the roadshow was an exclusive investor forum held at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi on 25 September 2026. The forum was hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates in collaboration with Port City Colombo.
The event brought together senior UAE business leaders, investors, and institutional stakeholders for a focused discussion on Sri Lanka’s investment proposition and the opportunities available within Port City Colombo’s Special Economic Zone.
Opening the forum, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Prof. Arusha Cooray highlighted the depth of the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and the UAE and Port City Colombo’s role within it. She noted that the UAE is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and the sixth largest investor in Sri Lanka.
She also highlighted Port City Colombo as a platform for UAE businesses and investors looking to expand into South Asia, describing it as a modern and internationally designed platform that is close and familiar in concept to what already exists in the UAE.
DMCC Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer Feryal Ahmadi, who attended as Chief Guest, shared her perspective on the changing dynamics of global trade and the role free trade zones can play in that evolution.
She highlighted the increasing importance of free trade zones in locations including Dubai, Singapore, and Colombo as connectors for businesses looking to access new markets.
Port City Colombo’s Strategic Investment Proposition
Colombo Port City Economic Commission Chairman Harsha Amarasekera PC drew a parallel between Abu Dhabi’s development as a global trading and investment hub and Sri Lanka’s strategic geographical position.
He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s strategic location, sovereign wealth, and regulatory framework, while noting that Sri Lanka shares strategic advantages including its location in the heart of the Indian Ocean and its natural deep-water ports.
He described Port City Colombo as a strategic national initiative designed to position Sri Lanka as a connected platform for businesses, linking South Asia with the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
Providing an update on Port City Colombo’s investment momentum, Colombo Port City Economic Commission Director General Revan Wickramasuriya highlighted key features of the SEZ’s regulatory framework.
These include a single-window facilitation model, foreign currency-designated operating environment, investor protection mechanisms, and Sharia-compliant finance framework, which are designed to meet the expectations of Gulf investors.
The formal proceedings concluded with remarks from Colombo Port City Economic Commission Director Commercial Radika Obeyesekere, who acknowledged the support provided by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the UAE in making the forum a success.
Commenting on the significance of the Gulf roadshow, CHEC Port City Colombo Ltd. Managing Director Xiong Hongfeng highlighted the depth of engagement across Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Doha and expressed the expectation of translating these discussions into concrete investment partnerships.
Strengthening Engagement in Oman
The Abu Dhabi forum was preceded by a series of high-level bilateral meetings in Muscat, Oman, where the Port City Colombo delegation engaged with senior representatives of Khazaen Economic City, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.
The delegation met with Khazaen Economic City CEO Eng. Salim bin Suleiman Al Thuhli, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Royal Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Pankaj Khimji and Director of Khimji Ramdas, together with Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry Ghalib bin Saeed bin Majid Al Maamari.
Discussions focused on bilateral trade and investment opportunities, the Oman–South Asia investment and trade corridor, and pathways for Omani businesses and institutions to establish a presence within Port City Colombo’s SEZ framework.
The engagement built on the foundation established through Port City Colombo’s Muscat investor forum in June 2026 and the subsequent reciprocal delegation visit to Port City Colombo in August 2026.
Deepening Engagement with Qatar
The roadshow concluded in Doha, Qatar, with a significant meeting with Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry First Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar.
The meeting marked an important step in further strengthening Port City Colombo’s engagement with Qatar’s business and investment community. The discussion was facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the State of Qatar and led by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar Sithara Khan.
The delegation also held dedicated discussions with senior Embassy officials and engaged with representatives of the Qatar–Sri Lanka Business Council, the Sri Lanka Coordinating Committee (SLCC), and the Sri Lanka Business and Professional Council (SLBPC).
These high-level engagements further strengthened Port City Colombo’s ongoing outreach in Qatar, creating new avenues for sustained dialogue, collaboration, and cross-border investment ties.
Strengthening Investment Engagement Across the Region
Through its seven-day roadshow across Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Doha, Port City Colombo continued to strengthen relationships with investors, institutions, business organisations, and government representatives.
The engagements provided opportunities to discuss Sri Lanka’s investment proposition, highlight the framework of Port City Colombo’s Special Economic Zone, and explore potential pathways for businesses and institutions from the UAE, Oman, and Qatar to establish a presence in Sri Lanka.
Interested in Exploring Investment Opportunities in Sri Lanka?
With growing engagement between Sri Lanka and the UAE, Oman and Qatar, opportunities are emerging for investors and businesses looking to explore the Sri Lankan market and establish a presence within Port City Colombo’s Special Economic Zone.
If you are an investor or business looking to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka, DPR Investment Consultants can support you throughout your investment journey — from understanding the investment environment to establishing and expanding your business.
For more information, contact us at info@srilankainvestment.com or visit our Contact Us page to get in touch with our team.
