IDB to support local machinery manufacturers
 

by Irangika Range

The Industrial Development Board (IDB) has launched a program to purchase locally manufactured machinery and equipment to be supplied to micro, small and medium industrialists of first 200 industrial villages which have been set up under the "Guru Pahayen Ran Pahayata" national program to develop 1000 industrial villages in the country.

Under this program IDB proposed to purchase various kinds of locally manufactured machinery and equipment which will be utilized to manufacture pottery products, coir products, food products, timber products, leather products, hand made paper products and light engineering products at these 200 industrial villages.

IDB Chairman S.B. Rathninda said that the IDB would help local machinery and equipment manufacturers through this program.

"For the past few years, the Ministry faced a lot of difficulties in obtaining high quality and standard machinery and equipment from local manufacturers. It also had a problem to identify local machinery and equipment manufacturers in the country because there was no proper recording system. IDB has now set up an information collecting center to register all these local manufactures. This program will also discourage import of machinery and equipment," he said.

Project Consultant and the Coordinator to the Ministry Ajith Perera said that the Ministry's major aim is to carry out the "Guru Pahayen Ran Pahayata" program successfully by supplying machinery and equipment to industrialists in industrial villages.

" The IDB will provide first stock of machinery and equipment by June. We expect to receive high quality, durable and modern machinery and equipment from local manufacturers. IDB will help these manufactures by providing technical support."