Sri Lanka, Oct. 14 -- Standard Chartered Bank yesterday made a strong case for Colombo to emerge as South Asia's trade finance hub, with its India and South Asia Chief Executive Officer P. D. Singh identifying a significant opportunity for Sri Lanka to leverage its strategic location and India's expanding economic footprint to become a key centre for regional commerce.

Singh said Sri Lanka is well placed to capitalise on the growing integration of manufacturing, services, investment and supply chains across Asia, with Colombo having the potential to play a much bigger role in facilitating trade and financial flows within the region.

"I, for one, want to see Colombo emerge as South Asia's hub for trade finance, so that I can spend more ...