Sri Lanka, Montana explore investment ties in agriculture, minerals and tech

Sri Lanka and the US State of Montana have opened talks on expanding trade and investment links in agriculture, manufacturing, mineral resources, and information technology. No agreements or investment commitments were announced.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte met Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe last week.

In agriculture, the two sides discussed widening market access for farm products, developing facilities to collect and store produce, and exchanging modern farming technology.

They also examined cooperation between manufacturers and industrial enterprises in the two economies, and the potential for mineral-based industries and the IT sector.

The meeting considered sending a Sri Lankan business delegation to Montana to assess investment and commercial opportunities in the state. The statement gave no timeline.

The talks also covered building direct connections between the two business communities. The statement said both sides stressed that favourable and stable economic policies are essential to attracting investment to Sri Lanka.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer attended the meeting, along with Montana Department of Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio, Montana Department of Agriculture Director Jillian Streit, and University of Montana representative Deena Mansour.