Sri Lankan business chamber says China's BRI an opportunity

COLOMBO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), trade and infrastructure initiatives and investments in Sri Lanka's ports could be seen as an opportunity and not a threat, local media reports, quoting head of Sri Lanka's biggest business chamber, said Saturday.

Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said Sri Lankan businesses could not afford to ignore the evolving international trade patterns and the most visible of the two or three which are currently happening around Sri Lanka is the Maritime Silk Road initiative of China.

Commenting on the Belt and Road Initiative, Theagarajah said, "It is actually a necklace which the Chinese government is intending to embrace, one in terms of the road connecting the eastern part of China with Western Europe. They will complete the necklace which they intend to cover through Sri Lanka."

He further explained that Pakistan was already making use of China's Maritime Silk Road, despite the internal conflicts they are currently facing.

Pakistan has allowed the Belt and Road Initiative to go through their country and have managed to get two bids for key infrastructure for the benefit of their country, Theagarajah said.

Sri Lanka should follow suit, he said.