Fresh push by NWS Holdings to woo Japanese investments

■Key Investor Forum kicks off today in Tokyo; services sector firms dominate in Lankan delegation


NWS Holdings Ltd., which has successfully drawn multi-million dollar investments from Japan in recent years, will make a fresh pitch today to woo more via a key business forum in Tokyo.
The investor forum at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo, with over 100 Japanese investors and representatives of Tokyo-based companies attending, will be the latest initiative by NWS to promote post-war resurgence and potential in Sri Lanka to draw Japanese interests.
NWS-led by Japanese investor Takashi Igarashi has successfully conducted major investor promotion events in 2011 and 2012 and consistent follow up activities have resulted in the company being responsible or facilitating over $ 300 million (around Rs. 40 billion) in Japanese investments in to Sri Lanka.
Japanese investments facilitated by NWS Holdings include around Rs. 25 billion in Government bonds promoted by Bansei Securities, which now has a 15% stake in Pan Asia Bank and has diversified into tourism as well as over Rs. 11 billion worth acquisition of controlling interest in Expolanka Holdings Plc by Japan’s logistics giant Sagawa.
Today’s Forum is part of NWS goal of increasing Japanese investments to $ 500 million by end 2015. The quantum attracted so far makes NWS by far the biggest private sector promoter of investments in post-war Sri Lanka. The September visit by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also given Japan Sri Lanka bilateral ties a big boost.
The Sri Lankan private sector delegation participating at today’s NWS Forum includes Softlogic Holdings PLC, Just in Time Technologies Ltd., Jetwing Hotels Ltd., Hsenid Software International Ltd., Dior Properties and Investments Ltd., Speedmark Transportation Lanka Ltd., and Pan Asia Banking Corporation.
These companies are represented at the Tokyo Forum at chairman/MD and director levels. The fact that there are two ICT sector specific companies apart from Softlogic confirms Lankan companies’ desire to effectively tap prospects in Japan, which is also the world’s second largest IT market. The delegation will also explore Japanese joint venture partners or investors in expanding Lankan logistics and tourism sectors as well as investments into property development.
A special tourism promotion initiative will also feature in the Forum done in collaboration with Japan’s A2 Media Ltd., whilst SriLankan Airlines will be offering one of the lucky investors a free ticket to holiday in Sri Lanka. Recognising the role played by NWS and the importance of attracting more Japanese investments, there will be a special pre-recorded message by Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena whilst Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Osaka D.W. Aluthgamage will be in attendance as well.
It was the 2012 NWS forum that brought together Expolanka Holdings and Japan’s Sagawa, thereafter leading to their mega partnership, which resulted in the Rs. 11 billion investment by Sagawa for a 51% stake in Expolanka Holdings in June this year.
One of the recent and highly-strategic initiatives of NWS was bringing Japan’s famous 17,000-member strong Taiheiyo Club and the Royal Colombo Golf Club together for a reciprocal membership program aimed at boosting Japanese golf tourism into Sri Lanka.

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