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| Monday, 7 July 2003 |
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by Ravi Ladduwahetty Minister of Rural Economy and Deputy Minister of Finance Bandula Gunawardena yesterday called upon the Regional Development Banks to set up at least 1000 micro-enterprises by end of 2003 in a bid to bridge the social disparity between the urban and rural areas of the country. He said that a plan was under way to establish product-specific industrial villages in all parts of the country in a bid to uplift the social lives of the rural economy." It is sad that the three most economically developed districts are Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha and they are far ahead of the other districts in the rest of the country. The disparity is too large, he said. The Minister was addressing 1900 officials of Regional Development Banks at the BMICH. The seminar was arranged to brief these officials following the Government's decision to transfer the management of these banks to the Ministry of Rural Economy with effect from July 1. Minister Gunawardena assured the officers of these banks that they will not be privatised if they are run as operationally viable entities and if they are meeting the aspirations of the rural economy. He directed all officials to be aware of the needs of the rural community and their needs for self employment." If the Regional Development Banks provide credit for micro- enterprises at single digit interest rates, how is it that there are quasi- lending institutions which also offer concessionary financing ? , he queried. He said that there were 27 such fraudulent financial institutions which were now being probed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Describing the setting up of the Meegoda Dedicated Economic Centre as a signal success, he said that the Government would endeavour to set up similar centres at Ratmalana, Kadawatha, Kesbewa, Gampaha, Veyangoda, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Ranna in the Hambantota District and Urubokka in the Matara District. This is the way to ensure that the producers get the best prices while the consumer also get the most competitive prices. He described the Pettah market as an institution of its own and attributed it to a monopoly which determined the prices of essentials at the expense of both the producer and the consumer. Otherwise, how is it that a kilo of Brinjals which fetched Rs. 7 at Thambuttegama be as high as Rs. 70 in Colombo and Papaw which could barely fetch Rs. 2 in the Southern Province be as high as Rs. 35 in Colombo? he queried. The Minister said that he would set up a marketing centre for all the rural produce such as handicrafts and other domestic utilities like brooms, doormats and other creative materials at a 23-acre block at Ratmalana. An inspection tour has also revealed that the export of coir rope to France and clay pots could also be established but the drawback to the industry has been the lack of electricity. He said that the Government is establishing infrastructure such as power, water and a network of roads. |
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