Axiata sees Sri Lanka emerging as digital investment hub: Group CEO Vivek Sood

AXIATA Group Berhad Group CEO/ Managing Director Vivek Sood said the Malaysian telecoms giant remains committed to Sri Lanka as a long-term strategic investment destination, despite challenges and market exits elsewhere in the region, citing the country’s digital ambitions, talent base and regulatory openness as decisive factors.

- BY CHARUMINI DE SILVA

Speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit last week, Sood said Axiata’s investment decisions are never driven solely by shareholder returns, but by a broader ‘return to stakeholders’, shaped by a country’s vision, regulatory stability, market structure, macroeconomic signals and the strength of local talent.

“Every business has to decide, where to put its capital. For us, the decision is always based on not just profit to shareholders. It’s the returns to the stakeholders. That starts with the vision of the Government, the regulatory environment, the macro situation, the opportunity and the level of talent,” he explained.