Photograph : US Embassy Colombo

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka reiterated the importance of government reform on the island, as he opened an American sponsored trade show in Colombo today, showcasing opportunities for American companies to work in Sri Lanka.

“It is clear to me that there is a new and tremendous opportunity for the United States and Sri Lanka to work together to enhance our economic relationship and expand bilateral trade,” said US Ambassador Keshap. 

“That’s because the people of Sri Lanka have made clear their intent to leave aside the divisive politics of the past in order to build a promising future, and the government has responded with plans to adopt policies that will make it easier for businesses to operate in and trade with Sri Lanka, for not only the United States, but businesses from across the globe,” he added.  

The ambassador went on to state however that “achieving this vision will not be easy work”.

“Representatives of US companies have regularly told me they would like to see more economic policy consistency, a more fiscally stable government and sustained enforcement of anti-corruption policies in Sri Lanka,” he said.

“US capital and business tend to flow to countries that succeed in providing this stability.  But I am confident that, going forward, the government and members of this business community will work together to make the reforms necessary to set Sri Lanka on the path towards long-term prosperity, and help us grow bilateral trade between the United States and Sri Lanka.” 

Mr Keshap concluded by saying,

“This year, the voters of Sri Lanka have made a choice – twice – to usher in a new way of doing business, a new vision for what can be accomplished, a Sri Lanka that is peaceful, reconciled, prosperous and free, with democracy and human rights for all its citizens. And today, the United States has a partnership with a government that shares our commitment to boosting bilateral trade and investment”.

See his full remarks here.