Sri Lanka is seeking to attract Japanese investment and technology to develop its mineral industry, with a focus on resource assessment, value addition and export diversification.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetthi led a delegation of senior government officials and private-sector representatives to Japan from 13 to 16 October 2026 to explore investment and technical cooperation opportunities in the mineral sector.
Sri Lanka–Japan Mineral Sector Promotion Seminar
The Sri Lanka–Japan Mineral Sector Promotion Seminar and Investor Roundtable was held on 14 October 2026 at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) headquarters in Tokyo. The event brought together more than 100 participants and was jointly organised by the Commercial Section of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan and JETRO.
The seminar showcased Sri Lanka’s mineral resources, national mineral policy, investment framework and business opportunities. Ten Sri Lankan companies presented their products and investment proposals, followed by business-to-business discussions with Japanese stakeholders.
Potential cooperation opportunities were identified in graphite, mineral sands, quartz and other mineral resources, particularly in resource assessment, value-added production and the development of reliable supply chains.
Discussions on Investment and Technical Cooperation
During the visit, the Sri Lankan delegation held discussions with senior representatives of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), JETRO and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The discussions focused on geological surveys, mineral processing, technical capacity building and investment promotion.
Mineral Sector Identified as a Priority for Export Development
The initiative marked the first time the Ministry had organised a delegation specifically focused on promoting a single economic sector in Japan, highlighting the growing importance of the mineral industry to Sri Lanka’s export development strategy.
The mineral sector has been identified as a priority under the National Export Development Programme (NEDP), with the potential to contribute towards Sri Lanka’s target of generating US$36 billion in exports by 2030.
The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral economic ties between Sri Lanka and Japan while opening new avenues for investment, technology transfer and higher-value mineral exports.
Exploring Investment Opportunities in Sri Lanka
As Sri Lanka seeks to attract foreign investment and technical expertise to develop its mineral sector, opportunities may emerge in areas such as mineral exploration, resource assessment, processing and value-added production.
DPR Investment Consultants supports local and foreign investors in identifying investment opportunities, establishing business operations and navigating Sri Lanka’s investment environment.
For more information, visit DPR Investment Consultants or contact info@dpr.lk
