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| Thursday, 13 January 2005 |
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USA pledges to rebuild SME, fisheries sectors by Shirajiv Sirimane Representative of the visiting US Congress delegation, James Leach said that they are keen to assist the small industries and the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. "The fishermen need fishing boats and gear and houses," he said. It is estimated that Rs. 16.5 billion would be needed to revive the fishing industry. The tsunami has caused extensive damage to fishing harbours, boats and boat engines, fishing gear and allied bodies. He identified Micro finance as a key area in the aftermath to develop the Small and Medium industry sector including the fisheries sector. "This is a very important area to build Sri Lanka's economy and the nation," he said. The 12-member delegation including two Senators was also keen on reopening the schools as education is a key area in rebuilding the nation. "We will undertake to rebuild several schools," the delegation said. The US Marines are also helping in this process and most of them are stationed at the Koggala Airforce base with heavy earth moving equipment. He said that most of the money for this would be not profit oriented and would be channelled through the World Bank, commercial banks and other organisations. "We have noted through experience in similar situations that Micro financing is the answer to this situation," he said. |
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