State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama participated in the ‘Hannover Messe 2024’ in Hannover, Germany, from 24 to 26 April. This was the first time that Sri Lanka had officially participated at the Hannover Messe, which is considered to be the world’s leading industrial trade fair.
State Minister Amunugama’s visit to Hannover Messe focused on creating awareness in Germany about investing in Sri Lanka, exploring opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses, and strengthening economic relations with Germany.
Head of Protocol Michael Rose, and Director-Public Affairs East Germany and Berlin of Deutsche Messe, Andrej Gross, the organizer of Hannover Messe, welcomed State Minister Amunugama and the delegation to ‘Hannover Messe 2024’.
The Hannover Messe highlights cross-industry solutions and interface technologies for the entire industrial ecosystem. The focus of this year’s trade fair was on how businesses can take advantage of developments such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), hydrogen, and many other high-tech solutions, with many of the world’s leading companies presenting their latest technologies and innovations in related fields
During the event the Minister highlighted opportunities for investment in Sri Lanka. The State Minister highlighted Sri Lanka’s great potential for renewable energy, such as green hydrogen.
The Minister also stated that Sri Lanka is implementing necessary reforms to ensure the long-term stability of the economy.
The State Minister also met with representatives of German Trade and Investment (GTAI), Germany’s international economic promotion agency; Baden-Württemberg province’s investment promotion agency, home to many leading industries such as Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, and Würth; and leaders of several German businesses in the fields of green hydrogen, port consultancy services, maritime services, agriculture engineering equipment, and IT services.
The Sri Lankan delegation also participated in a tour of companies in the hydrogen value chain to observe the latest developments in the sector.
The State Minister and the delegation also visited one of the production plants of Continental AG, a German company that recently signed agreements with BOI Sri Lanka to invest around 13 million euros over the next three years to expand their production facility in Sri Lanka, creating around 200 additional jobs.
AHK Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin and Deutsche Messe AG, organised Sri Lanka’s participation at the ‘Hannover Messe 2024’.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Varuni Muthukumarana, Counselor of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin, Senuja Samaraweera, and Executive Director of Aitken Spence, Dr. Rohan Fernando, accompanied the State Minister to the ‘Hannover Messe 2024’.
