The Commonwealth Business Forum( CBF), which concluded here Thursday, witnessed the largest number of participants in the history of the event, said Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris.

He said that over 650 delegates from within the Commonwealth and outside participated in the deliberations and this was a clear sign that the world shows a keen interest in the business opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Commonwealth Business Council Director Peter Callaghan said that delegates from about 90 countries attended the forum.

It is the premier business event in the Commonwealth, bringing together heads of government, ministers, and top business leaders from around the world.

Peiris said there has never been such a colossal investment in the development of infrastructure that invigorated highways, railroad systems, power and energy sector in the country's history.

Besides the strategic location of Sri Lanka on the historical Silk Route, the business-friendly culture and an economic renaissance with massive programs initiated by the government are the key draw for global investors, said the minister.

After the end of the war in 2009, Sri Lanka has been experiencing an infrastructure construction boom, including international airports, harbors, expressways and highways.

On Thursday, Sri Lanka will sign three groundbreaking investments to the tune of 2.1 billion U.S. dollars in Hambantota, with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The biggest investment would be for port city development in Colombo where China Communication Construction Company would invest 1.3 billion dollars. The project includes reclaiming land on sea, building breakwater, road, water and drainage facilities and other infrastructure for the proposed man-made island in Colombo.

The second investment would be for a mixed development venture from Austrian Property Alliance Capital Ltd.. The third agreement to be signed would be between Hong-Kong based AVIC International Engineering on building an apartment and shopping complex, the minister said. Endi

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