GRIPS Professor Emeritus Kenichi Ohno Visits Sri Lanka for High‑Level Discussions on Industrial Development and Investment Promotion, Facilitated by JICA

Professor Kenichi Ohno, Professor Emeritus at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan, visited Sri Lanka in February 2026 as part of JICA’s ongoing support for industrial development and investment promotion efforts in Sri Lanka. During his stay, Prof. Ohno held extensive discussions with high-level government officials, private sector representatives, and think-tanks. These exchanges focused on Sri Lanka’s industrial policy priorities, the need to strengthen industrial competitiveness, and opportunities to enhance foreign direct investment (FDI). Through these dialogues, Prof. Ohno provided insights grounded on decades of policy advisory experience in Asia and Africa, contributing to a deeper understanding of the strategic choices Sri Lanka faces as it works toward economic transformation.

In addition to high-level discussions, Prof. Ohno delivered lectures at the University of Colombo and the University of Peradeniya, engaging students and faculty on the evolution of industrial policy in latecomer economies. He also conducted a seminar for government officials and private sector stakeholders, titled “Industrial Promotion of Sri Lanka – The Next Goal and Required Policy Actions” at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka in Colombo. Drawing on international experiences particularly from East Asia, he outlined possible approaches Sri Lanka could adopt to advance industrialization. Prof. Ohno emphasized the importance of learning effectively from international development models, not by copying them directly, but by adapting relevant key elements in a manner suited to the Sri Lankan context. In addition, Prof. Ohno suggested FDI-led development to build a strong manufacturing base, and highlighted the critical role of leadership and capable technocrats in designing and executing effective industrial policy. His sessions encouraged participants to reflect on how global lessons might be adapted to Sri Lanka’s own institutional and economic context.

JICA views Prof. Ohno’s visit as an important step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s policy formulation capacity and accelerating reforms aimed at export-oriented, private-sector-driven growth. JICA hopes that the insights shared through these engagements will support the efforts to enhance the investment climate, improve industrial infrastructure, and promote productive dialogue between policymakers, industry leaders, and academia in Sri Lanka. Going forward, JICA remains committed to deepening its cooperation with long-term to foster sustainable industrial development and investment promotion—through knowledge exchange, dialogue, and capacity development—so that the country can fully leverage its human capital, attract competitive industries, and achieve long-term economic resilience.

Professor Emeritus at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan. Professor Ohno is one of Asia’s leading scholars in development economics and industrial policy. He previously worked at the International Monetary Fund and later taught at the University of Tsukuba and Saitama University before joining GRIPS. Since 1995, he has served as a long‑term advisor to the Government of Vietnam, contributing to industrial strategy and economic reform. Since 2008, he has also engaged in industrial policy dialogue with the Government of Ethiopia, supporting institutional development and policy learning. His research focuses on industrialization, economic catch‑up, policy learning, and comparative development experiences, particularly drawing lessons from Japan and other successful latecomer economies.