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The Government of Sri Lanka hosted the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Economic Corridor Development Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 28 September 2026 to advance regional cooperation and explore how economic corridors can unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, tourism, and sustainable growth across South Asia.

The forum discussed and endorsed the SASEC Strategy 2035 for Economic Corridor Development Operational Priority and its results framework that will cover development of national economic corridors with economic growth hubs, highly facilitated trade corridors, tourist destinations and circuits, investment promotion, supply and value chain development, digitalization, and job creation. Participants shared their experiences in implementing economic corridor development in their respective countries and resolved to establish an economic corridor development working group.

The forum was chaired by Mr. K.T.I. Premaratne, Director General, National Planning Department, Government of Sri Lanka, and cochaired by Mr. Joonho Hwang, Director (Energy), ADB, and incoming Head of the Regional Cooperation and Integration unit at ADB’s South Asia Regional Cooperation, South Asia Regional Department. The forum was moderated by Mr. Nilaya Mitash, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist.

The meeting was attended by officials from ministries or agencies for finance, external or foreign affairs, industry, commerce, information technology, or digital governance, as well as representatives the SASEC working groups for transport, trade facilitation, and energy. Staff and consultants from ADB also took part in the meeting. SASEC countries comprise Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.