COLOMBO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government has expressed doubt over achieving its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) target set for this year following the suicide attacks in several parts of the country on April 21, local media reported here Wednesday.
Development Strategies and International Trade Minister, Malik Samarawickrama said the Easter Sunday terror attacks which targeted three luxury hotels and three churches killing over 250 people, and then the ethnic violence which broke out on May 13, had taken a hit on investor confidence which is why the government would not be able to reach its target of three billion U. S. dollars this year.
He however was optimistic that the export market would continue to perform well.
"As we are aware, the terrorist activities and mob violence will adversely affect the economy. Especially in the tourism sector. I am pleased to inform that the government is in the process of implementing a relief program. As far as the exports are concerned, we are confident that we can achieve the targets set for 2019," the minister said in a statement.
"As far as the investments are concerned, we will not be able to achieve the targets set. Both the local and foreign investors are shaken from what has taken place in April and May in Sri Lanka. But the security forces have taken control of the situation, and during the next few months, the terrorist factor will be completely eliminated," he added.
The Sri Lankan government in January said it is aiming to attract three billion U.S. dollars worth of foreign direct investments in 2019 as several mega projects were being discussed with international investors.
However, the island's economy took a hard hit when suicide bombers struck the churches and hotels on April 21, dampening investor confidence.
