Following the government's decision to implement the Strategic Development Project Act, Pharmaceutical industry has been selected as one of the thrust industries to develop in order to bring down foreign direct investments to the country by establishing the special pharmaceutical zone in Hambantota. In line with the proposal of attracting the top most companies in the world to invest in this zone, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow organized an online meeting with the participation of Board of Investment, State Pharmaceutical Cooperation of Sri Lanka, Belarus Chamber of Commerce and top pharmaceutical companies of the Republic of Belarus on 19 March 2021. Mr. Mohamed Anas, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy, moderated the meeting.

In his welcome speech, Ambassador H.E. Prof. M.D. Lamawansa stressed the friendly relations and strong links established between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Belarus in different areas, including education, agriculture and healthcare. The Ambassador expressed his intention to facilitate collaboration in the pharmaceutical sphere.
Mr. Piyadeva Karunatilake, Deputy Director of Board of Investment of Sri Lanka along with Mr. Madhushani Seneviratne delivered comprehensive presentation on the advantages and benefits for investors in Hambantota Pharmaceutical Zone.
The State Pharmaceutical Corporation of Sri Lanka was represented by Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, the Chairman who paved the way to establish first direct contact between Sri Lanka and the Belarus pharmaceutical business.
The Belarusian side was represented by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Belarus, and Republican unitary enterprise "Management company of the holding "Belpharmprom", a state pharmaceutical holding, uniting 29 organizations that produce more than 95% of the volume of medicines in the Republic of Belarus and effectuate 100% of the country's export.
Belarus pharma sector was also represented by Republican Unitary Enterprise (RUE) "Belmedpreparaty" - one of the largest state-owned pharmaceutical companies in Belarus, leader of the Belarusian pharmaceutical market founded in 1929. This enterprise supplies medicines to more than 27 countries of the world, including CIS countries, European Union, Asia, Africa, America and Australia. And Open Joint Stock Company "Borisov Plant of Medicines" - one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of broad-spectrum medicinal products, which plans to significantly expand the geography of sales in the very near future including Asia.
The representatives of the pharmaceutical sector of Belarus have been guided through all the possible advantages and benefits of participating in the project.
At the end of the meeting, Belpharmprom Holding expressed its interest in establishing reliable relations with a Sri Lankan counterpart for joint production.