Omega Line to open factory in Vavuniya
Invests US $ 20 million for new plant:
Omega Line Limited will construct a garment factory investing US $ 20
million in Vavuniya.
The factory is expected to commence operations in October 2012 and
will provide employment to 1,500 at full capacity.
Omega Line Limited is owned by Calzedonia Finanziaria of Luxembourg
and started operations in 1999 in Sri Lanka with 30 employees in
Sandalankawa.
Calzedonia has other manufacturing operations in Croatia, Serbia and
Bulgaria.
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Minister Rishad Bathiudeen |
Calzedonia's Sri Lanka operations see annual export value of over $
300 million to Italy alone. It now employs over 3,000 to manufacture
lingerie. The total investment made to-date is around US$ 45 million on
two state-of- the-art factories with a total area of 265,000 sq.ft. on
an extent of over 25 acres.
Omega Line exports its products to Europe under the brand names of 'Intimissimi'
and 'Tezenis' while its beachwear and swimwear are under the brand name
of 'Calzedonia'.
Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen who was the chief
guest at the ground breaking ceremony said the setting up of the factory
would pave the way for prosperity and social uplift of the people in
this area".
"Omega Line has undertaken many Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
projects to improve the quality of life through livelihood and
infrastructure development. The salient amongst the projects implemented
was the reconstruction of Singakkuliya Road at a cost of Rs 35 million
followed by donation of 50 houses at Hambantota for those displaced by
the tsunami for which Sri Lanka thanks them," Minister Bathiudeen said.
The Minister said Sri Lanka's garment industry has grown to be the
largest contributor to the export revenue of the country. "At present,
this industry is a US $ 3.5 billion export business, and accounts for 42
percent of the country's export earnings.
The USA and the EU are the major destinations, which account for
about 70 percent of Sri Lanka's apparel exports. Sri Lanka has
established herself, as a reliable supplier of quality garments, at
competitive prices, and upholds ethical practices, backed by
legislation.
The country is thus, being identified as a producer of "Garments
without Guilt", which epitomizes the synergy between ethical brands and
apparel 'Made in Sri Lanka'.
It is true that, these ethical sourcing and sustainable development
practices aim at empowering women, and support their communities,
through poverty alleviation, and also offering opportunities, for good
education and personal growth" Minister Bathiudeen said. |
