Archives

Norwegian businessmen ready to set up joint ventures in South

by Lionel Yodhasinghe

Norwegian businessmen are prepared to set up joint ventures with their counterparts in the Southern Province and assist economic development in the area, visiting Norwegian Deputy Minister of Development Co-operation Olav Kjorven said.

Mr. Kjorven who led a 13 member Norwegian delegation to the South on Wednesday said that more private sector involvement is essential to tap the potential resources of the South like fisheries and tourism to create more employment and other income generating ventures for the people.

He said Norway is ready to provide all necessary assistance in this regard including high technology and consultancy to develop the Southern part of the country.

Earlier, the Minister visited two other Norway-Sri Lanka joint ventures in Moratuwa. He said that lessons from the success of such joint ventures definitely attract more prospective Norwegian investors to Sri Lanka specially to the South.

When asked for his comments on the current peace process brokered by his government, Mr.Kjorven said despite certain incidents violating the Ceasefire Agreement, the strong will from both sides to continue the talks should be commended. "I am optimistic of the success of the peace talks and the dawning permanent peace in Sri Lanka", he said.

He also said that he met several Ministers and had discussions on bi-lateral co-operation between the two countries.

Mr. Kjorven also met Governor of the Southern Province Kingsley T. Wickremaratne during his tour in the South.

Later he inspected a Rs. 7.7 million Norwegian funded solid waste management project at Dadalla, Galle.

The delegation included Deputy Director General Ms Elisabeth Jacobsen, Special Adviser Ms Inga Magistad, Minister Counsellor Hans Brattskar, Head of Section Ms Susan Eckey and Senior Executive Officer Jens Erik Grondahl of the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Deputy Director General Morten Svelle, Adviser Ms Harriet Solheim and Senior Executive Officer Ms Ingrid Hordvei Dana of NORAD Head Office and Norwegian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jon Westborg, Minister Counsellor Oddvar Laegreid, Counsellor Tor Kubberud and Second Secretary Sven Ramboll of the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager