Colombo Port City has taken center stage on the global map, named the “Best Knowledge Zone in the Asia Pacific region” and earning high commendation for sustainability in the 2025 Global Free Zones Rankings by fDi Intelligence, a unit of the UK’s Financial Times. This recognition elevates Sri Lanka’s flagship Special Economic Zone as a rising hub for investment, knowledge-based industries, and sustainable growth.
The Global Free Zone Awards are among the most respected benchmarks in international trade and development. Each year, fDi Intelligence highlights the world’s most promising free zones, acknowledging their ability to drive foreign direct investment, innovation, and economic resilience. Colombo Port City’s recognition as the Asia Pacific’s Best Knowledge Zone marks a turning point for South Asia, cementing its reputation as a transformative Special Economic Zone that nurtures both enterprise and sustainability.
Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo, described the accolade as a testament to the city’s progress. “This recognition by fDi Intelligence is proof of the strong foundations we are building in Colombo Port City not only as a hub for international business, but also as a model for sustainable, knowledge-based urban development in the region.” His words underscore the project’s ambition to establish a vibrant ecosystem that balances growth with responsibility.
Central to the award was Colombo Port City’s progressive regulatory framework, designed to enhance the ease of doing business in South Asia. The Special Economic Zone is distinguished by its blend of financial and non-financial incentives, which have drawn attention from investors worldwide. By offering a clear, investor-friendly legal and administrative structure, the SEZ empowers global businesses to operate seamlessly while fostering innovation and competitiveness in emerging industries.
The jury particularly highlighted Colombo Port City’s emphasis on service-based sectors. The SEZ integrates financial services with professional and creative industries, supported by infrastructure such as an international alternative dispute resolution center that bolsters investor confidence. Maritime and logistics sectors, professional services, and technology-driven enterprises form part of the ecosystem envisioned to place Sri Lanka firmly on the global investment map.
Beyond commerce, sustainability stood out as a defining feature of Colombo Port City’s strategy. The “Highly Commended” award for sustainability acknowledges the Port City Institute’s commitment to green growth. Projects emphasize the creation of open green spaces, energy-efficient infrastructure, and coastal resilience to protect the island’s natural environment. By prioritizing ecological balance, the SEZ demonstrates that progress need not come at the expense of sustainability.
fDi Intelligence, the Financial Times’ specialist publication on foreign direct investment, has long provided in-depth analysis of global free zones. Its annual rankings are widely regarded as the benchmark of excellence for investment promotion and sustainable economic development. Recognition by such a trusted institution provides Colombo Port City with a powerful platform to attract investors, innovators, and knowledge-based industries.
The awards reinforce Colombo Port City’s growing reputation as the nucleus of South Asia’s business and investment future. From advanced financial services to sustainable urban planning, the project is redefining what it means to create a truly global Special Economic Zone. Investors now see Sri Lanka not only as a gateway to South Asia but also as a model of how infrastructure, policy, and innovation can combine to create opportunity.
This accolade is more than a badge of honor; it signals a new era for Sri Lanka’s economic vision. As Colombo Port City continues to grow, its dual recognition for knowledge and sustainability points toward a future where economic prosperity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. The city stands not just as a financial hub, but as a living testament to the belief that smart urban development can create enduring value for nations, investors, and communities alike.
With global eyes turning to Colombo, the city has an opportunity to consolidate its role as a knowledge-based, sustainable, and investor-friendly hub. For Sri Lanka, this recognition is both a validation of effort and an invitation to dream bigger, as Port City strengthens its place on the world stage.
