Govt. to expand Economic Centre network

by Irangika Range

The Government will expand Economic Center network islandwide by setting up one economic center each month focusing to uplift the rural farmers' economic standards by increasing their contribution to develop the national economy, said Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion Minister S.B. Nawinna.

He was Speaking at the opening of new economic center at Kandehandiya in Kandy for which the Ministry has invested Rs. 19.5 million.

The Center comprising 14 trade stalls and main trade hall will facilitate to vegetables, fruits and grains of farmers in the area.

The ministry will open similar centers in Weerawila, NuwaraEliya and Veyangoda within next two months.

The Minister said this center will provide a platform to farmers to sell their products for a fair price and strengthen trade between farmers and merchants. He said the farmers' contribution to the national productivity is at 75 percent and it will be increased up to 100 percent with the implementation of this project.

He said the Government has agreed to provide incentives for the betterment of the agriculture focusing on the regional development in the country.

This economic centers' concept was started in 1989. Five centers have already been set up in Dambulla, Keppetipola, Meegoda, Welisara and Ambilipitiya and numbers of trade transactions are taken place everyday in these areas which will help develop national economy.

The Ministry will develop infrastructure facilities targeting to promote villagers livelihood as well. Under this project, the Veyangoda weekly fair has been set up investing Rs.4.5 million recently.