📢 "The need to break down the walls, and build bridges to the world is of utmost importance! That is how we grow 💪🏽" — Dr. Harsha de Silva (a prominent Sri Lankan economist and parliamentarian)
At a time when Sri Lanka is emerging from economic collapse, one truth is clearer than ever:
📢 We can’t grow alone. We must grow together — with the world.
For decades, Sri Lanka relied on protectionism, inefficient policies, and political fear of foreign competition. But now, with an IMF bailout behind us and the world watching, it's time to step up, open up, and take bold action 🌐🔥
🚫 Why “Closed” Doesn’t Work Anymore
🔒 A closed economy keeps prices high, competition low, and innovation stagnant.
🔒 It blocks foreign investment and scares away global talent.
🔒 It leads to low exports, low productivity, and slow job creation.
📉 In 2022, Sri Lanka became the first Asia-Pacific country to default on its foreign debt in over 20 years. The lesson was loud and clear: Insularity = vulnerability.
✅ What Happens When You Open Up?
Let’s look at some winners.
🇻🇳 Vietnam: From War to World Factory
✅ Opened up in 1986 through “Đổi Mới” reforms
✅ Signed 15+ Free Trade Agreements
✅ Invited foreign investment with tax breaks, SEZs, and stable policy
✅ Trained its people in skills for manufacturing, IT, and logistics
📈 Exports rose from $14 billion (2001) to $371 billion (2023)
🏭 Major companies like Samsung, Nike, and Intel manufacture there now
👩🏽🏫 Poverty fell from 60% to under 5% in 30 years!
🇷🇼 Rwanda: The African Comeback
✅ After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda rebuilt by prioritizing global partnerships
✅ Ranked #2 in Africa for Ease of Doing Business
✅ Invested in infrastructure, digital services, and women-led startups
✅ Now attracts investors from Europe, China, and the U.S.
💡 Lesson: Even the most fragile country can rise with openness and reform.
🇮🇪 Ireland: From Poverty to Europe’s Tech Hub
✅ Cut corporate tax to attract Apple, Google, Facebook
✅ Focused on education, trade, and skilled immigration
✅ Became Europe’s gateway to U.S. tech and pharma
💼 Today, Ireland has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world!
🏗️ What Sri Lanka Can Do Now — and Next
🕐 Short-Term (0–2 Years)
- 📄 Sign new FTAs — fast-track pacts with ASEAN, Africa, EU
- 🧾 Simplify investment laws — one-window approval system
- ✈️ Ease visa rules for business and digital nomads
- 🧰 Create investor-friendly SEZs — expand Port City & Hambantota
- 📣 Launch a Global Sri Lanka Campaign — attract diaspora investors 🌍
🌱 Long-Term (3–10 Years)
- 🏫 Modernize education — English, coding, AI, logistics
- ⚡ Power up infrastructure — smart ports, rail, clean energy
- 📉 Reduce tax uncertainty — investors need predictability
- 🏥 Digitalize government services — cut corruption, boost trust
- 🌳 Go green — become South Asia’s eco-investment leader
- 🏖️ Build a premium tourism brand — culture + nature + safety
📊 Some Eye-Opening Stats
| 📌 Metric | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports (% of GDP) | ~20% | ~73% | ~15% |
| FDI Inflows (2023) | ~$1.2B | ~$23B | ~$3.5B |
| Doing Business Rank (2020) | 99 | 70 | 168 |
| GDP Growth (2024 forecast) | 5% | 6.5% | 6% |
(Source: World Bank, IMF, Reuters)
🌉 Why This is the Moment
Sri Lanka already has some great assets:
- 🇱🇰 A young and educated population
- 🏝️ Beautiful natural landscape for tourism
- 📍 A strategic location near major sea routes
- 🌱 An emerging tech, logistics, and BPO sector
We just need to connect these to the global engine of growth.
❤️ Final Words: Our Path to Prosperity
We can’t afford to isolate ourselves any longer.
We can’t be scared of the world — we must lead in it.
🔓 Tear down the walls of outdated policies.
🌉 Build bridges to Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
📦 Let our products fly, our students soar, and our ideas shine.
"Build bridges to the world — that is how we grow" 💪🏽
🇱🇰 Let’s turn this into a national mission — for exports, investment, education, tourism, and jobs.
Let’s make Sri Lanka the Singapore of South Asia — bold, open, and unstoppable.
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