Dr Sarath Obeysekera

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Schedule of Requirement (SOR)

PROMOTION OF SRI LANKA’S MARINE AND OFFSHORE SERVICES SECTORGLOBALLY THROUGH THE ENGAGEMENT OF A PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM

1. Background

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PROMOTION OF SRI LANKA’S MARINE AND OFFSHORE SERVICES SECTOR GLOBALLY THROUGH THE ENGAGEMENT OF A PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM

1. Background

The Marine and Offshore Services (M&OS) sector has been identified as a high potential exportindustry with significant capacity to enhance Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange earnings, provided it iseffectively developed, facilitated and strategically promoted. Sri Lanka’s geographical position at thecentre of one of the world’s busiest East West maritime trade routes offers a unique competitiveadvantage, connecting key global markets across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

The country is further strengthened by its natural endowments, including strategically located deepwater ports such as Trincomalee one of the finest natural harbours in the world as well as Colomboand Hambantota, all of which are situated in close proximity to major international shipping lanes.

Collectively, these waters are traversed by over 60,000 vessels annually, reinforcing Sri Lanka’spotential to serve as a regional hub for marine and offshore services.Despite these inherent advantages, the sector’s global visibility remains limited due to the absence ofa structured international branding framework and sustained, coordinated promotional initiatives. Thishas constrained Sri Lanka’s ability to fully capitalise on emerging opportunities within the globalmarine and offshore industry, including foreign direct investment (FDI), strategic partnerships andexpanded market access.

In response, it is proposed to engage a qualified and experienced Public Relations (PR) firm to designand implement a comprehensive global communications and branding strategy for the M&OS sector.There objective is to enhance international recognition, strengthen stakeholder engagement and positionSri Lanka as a competitive and reliable destination for marine and offshore services.In 2025, the Export Development Board (EDB) developed a high-quality audio visual (AV)promotional video highlighting Sri Lanka’s capability in the marine and offshore services sector. The  AV showcases the country’s strategic location, technical expertise, cost competitiveness and integratedservice offerings. This asset will serve as a key promotional tool for targeted international outreach.Accordingly, a focused global promotional campaign is proposed, targeting priority markets includingEurope, Asia, the Middle East, the United States of America and East Africa. The campaign willleverage the AV material as a core communications instrument and will be deployed through astructured, digital first strategy.The proposed PR and communications campaign will include strategic media placements across digitalplatforms, targeted outreach to industry stakeholders and coordinated international communicationsefforts that extend beyond the capacity of foreign missions alone. Implementation will be undertaken

through professional digital marketing and public relations channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram,Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, email marketing and other relevant platforms, with tailored messaging for selected regional markets and industry audiences.

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The restructuring of Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) under the direct supervision of the President presents a timely opportunity to redefine the country’s investment promotion strategy.
For many years, institutions such as the Export Development Board (EDB) have carried out valuable work in identifying and promoting new export-oriented sectors. They have commissioned studies, prepared investment profiles, produced promotional material, and engaged with development partners in good faith to expand Sri Lanka’s export base.
One notable example is the initiative to position Trincomalee as a Marine and Offshore Services Hub. The EDB invested considerable effort in developing a comprehensive strategy, including an international promotion programme, professional audio-visual material, and a globalcommunications campaign aimed at attracting foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka’s marine and offshore services sector. The proposal recognized Sri Lanka’s unique geographic advantage along one of the world’s busiest East-West shipping routes and highlighted the country’s potential to become a regional centre for ship repairs, offshore engineering, bunkering, underwater services, logistics and maritime industries.

This is precisely where the restructured BOI must assume leadership.

Unlike sectoral agencies, the BOI has the statutory authority to facilitate investment approvals, coordinate government agencies, remove regulatory bottlenecks, negotiate with investors, and implement national investment policy. More importantly, operating directly under the President gives the BOI the institutional authority to drive projects across ministries and ensure that strategic investments receive priority attention.
Investment promotion should not merely consist of advertising opportunities. It should be backed by government commitment, policy certainty and an institution capable of delivering investor confidence.
Projects such as the development of Trincomalee as an offshore industrial hub require coordinated action involving ports, customs, environmental approvals, energy, vocational training, infrastructure, land allocation and international investor facilitation. These are responsibilities that naturally fall within the mandate of the BOI rather than the EDB.
The EDB should continue to play its important role in export development, identifying emerging sectors, supporting exporters and developing market intelligence. However, once sectors mature into major investment opportunities requiring foreign direct investment, infrastructure development and policy coordination, ownership should transition to the BOI.
Such an approach would eliminate duplication, strengthen accountability and present a single investment window to the international business community.
International investors do not distinguish between government agencies. They expect one institution with authority to coordinate approvals, solve problems and deliver projects. A strong BOI functioning as the country’s premier investment promotion agency can fulfil this expectation.
The appointment of a new BOI Chairman therefore offers an opportunity not merely to restore the institution’s former reputation but to reposition Sri Lanka’s entire investment promotion framework. Strategic initiatives already developed by agencies such as the EDB—including the Marine and Offshore Services programme and the vision of Trincomalee as an offshore industrial hub—should now be adopted as national investment priorities under the BOI.
If this transition is successfully managed, Sri Lanka can move beyond preparing excellent studies and promotional campaigns to implementing projects that generate investment, employment, exports and sustainable economic growth.
The country’s future competitiveness depends not only on identifying opportunities, but on ensuring that a single empowered institution has the authority to convert those opportunities into reality.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera