Two industrial estates to assist wood-based industries

BIBILE: The Industrial Development Ministry will set up two special industrial estates for wood and wood-based products in Badulla and Bibile.

The decision came as a result of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's instructions after he had met the industrialists engaged in wood and wood-based industries. sources said, the Ministry will provide solutions to the industrialists' problems in Buttala and within the area.

At the meeting, it was disclosed that there was a heavy unemployment growth in the district.

The meeting was held under the 'Mahinda Randora' programme to find ways to make the maximum use of the resources in Moneragala district and to take action to find ways to utilise these resources in an effective manner for industries.

At a similar meeting of wood industrialists in the Chamber of Commerce and Industries held in Buttala, the industrialists forwarded a large number of problems faced by them. Most of the problems relating to woodcutting, transportation and obtaining licences were presented.

The main task of the Ministry is to protect the local industrialists and to provide the service facilities.

It would provide all the infrastructure including lands, electricity, roads, water and telephones for the industrial estates to be established in Bibile and Buttala.