Free Trade Zone proposed for building materials

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: The Government has decided to set up a new Free Trade Zone for providing high quality building materials at reasonable prices in the area from Godagama to Malabe.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-Operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Daily News that most building materials are sold to consumers at unfair prices and without proper quality.

With the setting up of this free trade zone, consumers would have a great opportunity to purchase high quality building materials at concessionary rates. The Minister said a Cabinet paper will be submitted soon for approval.

Though many areas are renowned for various materials such as Pamunuwa for fabric and ready made garments and Panchikawatta for spare parts, there is no particular place for obtaining building materials. This is a major requirement of the construction industry.

"The Building Materials Corporation is under my Ministry and many strategies will be implemented to make it profitable," he said.