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| Tuesday, 25 March 2003 |
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Intrad 2003 to woo investments in infrastructure development by Chandani Jayatilleke
A leading Chamber in Colombo is planning to attract huge investments to the infrastructure development projects sector through a mega trade investment exhibition and forum - Intrad 2003 to be held in Colombo in September. The key ministries directly in the economic development process would support this effort which will bring together investors, the Government and the private sector. "We want to identify the key infrastructure projects and showcase them with comprehensive details in order to attract fresh investments into the sector," Asoka de Z Gunasekera, President, National Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (NCCSL) told the Daily News. The NCCSL is the main organiser of this event. Gunasekera said that this year's theme - 'Regaining Sri Lanka - Invest in our Infrastructure' was chosen after much deliberation, as the infrastructure development is the most important need of the country's economy today. "We need to attract substantial investments in this area. We need to put much emphasis in developing infrastructure in the country for the next five to 10 years," he said. The ministries that will take part in the event include five Regional Development Ministries, Power and Energy, Mass Communication, Shipping, Highways and Transport, Aviation, Health and Education. "We expect these Ministries to present five to 10-year development plans with comprehensive details so that the investors will have a clear idea on the project," he said. The project presentations will include strategic plans, cost of the project, duration of completion and privileges granted to investors. For instance, if it is a road construction project the relevant Ministry could present information such as project description, direct investment, duration for completion, number of jobs and benefits to the investor. In order to give an indepth knowledge on Sri Lanka's investment policy the organisers will team up with the Board of Investment (BOI) to present an Investor Forum too. "The main idea behind this concept is to promote and boost the Government's investment policies and concepts among a diversified audience of investors," Gunasekera said. The NCCSL has already begun work with several institutions to promote the exhibition and the forum abroad. "The Foreign Ministry has given us the assurance to get their fullest support by way of publicising the event abroad through Sri Lankan missions. We are also working with our counterparts in those countries to attract many visitors," he said. The highest number of visitors are expected from the US, UK and Norway in addition to visitors from the SAARC countries. Gunasekera also said that they planned to request the Government to declare the Intrad as a national event in the future. |
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