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| Wednesday, 3 September 2003 |
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A programme has been implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and investment Promotion to uplift the living standards of those engaged in the woodwork industry in Moratuwa. With NORAD of Norway funding up to an amount of Rs. 158 million it is expected to mainly develop 30 woodworking units in Moratuwa and bring them up to international standards and export the products, earn foreign exchange, and give the full benefit of it to those in the woodworking business. These views were expressed by Prof. G.L. Peiris, in his keynote address at the opening of a workshop organized under the "Upwood" programme for those engaged in wood-based industry in the Moratuwa area. This was held with a participation of over 150 at the Katubedda Apprentice Training Institute. The main activities under this programme would be to develop 30 woodworking factories up to international standards for the first time in the history of Moratuwa, provide new technology to a further 100 factories with a view to positioning them to manufacture for the local market, finding ways of using the saw dust in a feasible project, and to develop the standards of institutes that could provide services to the wood-based, industry, such as the Apprentice Training Institute, Industrial Development Board, and Universities of Sri Jayawardhenepura, Kelaniya and Moratuwa. In addition, under this project, it is also expected to develop the technical skills of the woodworker and managerial skills of the carpentry shop owners, to provide a kiln/drum for wood tanning and also a service centre for equipment maintenance in Moratuwa. Minister Peiris said: - Today, the woodworker in Moratuwa has to face many challenges. Wood such as Satinwood (Burutha), Ebony and Nedun are scarce. Therefore, Teak and Mahogany are very much in use. Furthermore, the supply of plastic chairs and household furniture to the market has made the market more competitive. In order to look into all these aspects and achieve progress in the industry, a special task force has been appointed by the Ministry. Instead of the government sector making decisions on this matter, it has been so planned to have recommendations and proposals made on the expertise and experience of the private sector individuals who have been long engaged in the wood industry, and it is already in progress. If we are to get the maximum from our human resources we have to provide modern technology and the know-how. A government is required to develop the inherent capabilities of an intelligent group of citizens and assist them in reaching a position where these efficiencies could be used to derive fruitful results. The woodworker of Moratuwa manufactures excellent and high quality products but he is unable to market it. The person who toils to make the product does not even get 30% of the sale price. This is the real situation. It is the middleman that makes the best of this sale. It has now become necessary to introduce a new system where the buyer will be brought in contact with the manufacturer. In this regard, the Minister has introduced the "Wadu Pola" concept. Having discussed this issue with Mr. Lalith Kotalawela, an E-Market named "E-Sela" was launched to introduce the products of the Moratuwa woodworker to overseas buyers via Internet. However, it is felt these services should be provided on a wider scale. The main target is to draw up a structure by which the woodworker would be able to face the stiff competition existent in the modern world. "The Minister is confident that the Committee Report submitted by Major Douglas Wijesinghe who has a wealth of experience on woodwork industry, would be of great support in the efforts to uplift the standards of the industry. By linking this programme with the Industrial Development Board, National Apprentice Training Institute and Universities of Kelaniya, Sri Jayawardenepura and Moratuwa, the wood and wood-related industry will achieve rapid growth. The forest which extended up to 140,000 hectares 25 years back, is now limited 90,000 hectares hence the shortage of raw material. This issue too needs urgent attention", said the Minister. |
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