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Govt to launch rapid industrialisation in Trinco

by Trincomalee correspondent K. d. Jayasekera

Minister of Industries Rohitha Bolgollagama addressing a meeting of industrialists and traders in Trincomalee district at the kachcheri conference hall, Trincomalee said 1,000 acres of land at Kappalthurai would be set aside for an industrial zone. In addition 100 acres of land is being earmarked for small and medium industries.

He said the main aim of his visit was to focus attention on rapid regional industrialisation and to meet regional trade and industry chambers, banks and government agencies to formulate program to boost regional industries.

One of the key factors for economic development is industrialising the economy on a sustainable basis. A vigorous program needs to be launched to adequately gear the regional business and the industries to compete in the emerging highly competitive global markets which would lead to the greater prosperity of the country.

He said during the past two decades not much consideration was given to the North East province. The degree of normalcy could be seen by being able to travel even at midnight and there is hope for a better future. This is the result of signing an MoU between the Government and the LTTE and the best use of this opportunity should be made.

Minister Bogollagama said his ministry is prepared to enhance the potentials of small to large industries. The Industries Development Board will concentrate on local industries and assist in financial facilitation. Tourist potentials can also be enhanced.

He said with the influx of local tourists to Trincomalee it has become most difficult to obtain a room. Trincomalee would be a super place to invest money on industries. He said the business of his ministry is to help business.

The Minister said the Industrial Development Board (IDB) will expand its activities in this region and the provincial office at Ampara will be shifted to Trincomalee soon to facilitate industrialists in this region. An industrial exhibition will be held in Trincomalee in November to publicise local industries which are not known to people in other regions.

Trincomalee district MP, M. A. M. Maharoof said the tank farm at China Bay which belongs to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation could be improved in addition to port development.

He said even during the periods of conflict the Petroleum Corporation activities at China Bay, Prima flour milling complex at China Bay and the activities of Mineral Sands Corporation continued uninterrupted. By developing industries unemployed youth could find employment. There are no small and medium scale industries in Trincomalee district.

Provincial Director of Industries (NEP) M. S. Ireneuss in a note presented stated that decades of war has caused severe depletion in human, physical and financial capitals. Though mega industrial zone and harbour development proposals are available not a single small scale industrial estate has been developed so far in Trincomalee for local small and medium industries.

GA Trincomalee N. P. K. Nelumdeniya in his welcome speech said industries are essential for the economical development of the country. For twenty years the people in this district were placed in a disastrous situation because of the war. With the dawn of peace an opportunity has arisen to start industries.

At the discussion it was said that transmitting towers are being erected to provide cellular telephone facilities to Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Within the next two months Dialogue GSM cellular telephones could be used in Trincomalee.

A lengthy discussion took place in regard to industries and trade, difficulties in obtaining bank loans and other drawbacks.

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