As many as 47 parties have initially responded to the call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to develop and operate Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, prompting authorities to extend the submission deadline by a further month at the request of participants, the Daily Mirror reported on Wednesday.
An official of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said the extension was granted to give bidders more time for documentary preparation. Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Karunatilake confirmed that more than 40 parties have formally expressed interest in investing in the southern airport. The EOI is split into two segments — Airside / Aerodrome Operations within the inner perimeter, and Landside Operations covering inner and outer perimeter areas — and is open to companies, corporations, firms and joint ventures registered in their respective jurisdictions.
The 47-party response is a sharp jump from the roughly 80 prospective investors that downloaded the EOI documents around the May 22 information workshop, and follows the original June 8 deadline set when the EOI opened on May 12. It is the strongest investor turnout yet in the latest round of global solicitations for the loss-making airport.
The Daily Mirror said the asset is being eyed by countries involved in geopolitical contestation given its proximity to the Chinese-operated Hambantota Port. Indian media have previously reported that New Delhi is monitoring developments at Mattala, which it sees as an opportunity to secure a strategic position in southern Sri Lanka. The airport opened in 2013 at a project cost of US$209 million, primarily funded by China’s Export-Import Bank.
A revised closing date for the EOI has not been published. Airport and Aviation Services is running the call on behalf of the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry, with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka facilitating outreach through its international networks.
Source: Daily Mirror.
