Hungarian aid for three hospitals
Uditha Kumarasinghe
COLOMBO: The Hungarian Government has pledged to grant 135 million
euro to the Government to establish three new hospitals in Hambantota,
Beliatta and Nuwara Eliya areas.
Hungary has also agreed to grant 35 million euro to commence the
Labugama Kalatuwawa (water) Rehabilitation project.
This assurance has been given by a top level delegation of several
leading Hungarian State corporations who held discussions with
Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Dr. Sarath
Amunugama on Monday, a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News yesterday.
The Minister held extensive discussions with the Hungarian delegation
to obtain investments from Hungary to Sri Lanka and various sectors in
which Hungary can invest in Sri Lanka, he said.
Hungary has pledged financial assistance to construct three hospitals
and a water rehabilitation project. The Hungarian Government has vested
the consultancy services of these projects in several Hungarian firms.
The Hungarian Government has reached these decisions during the period
when Dr. Amunugama was the Finance Minister.
Hungary has granted 70 million euro to construct the Hambantota
hospital, 15 million euro for the Beliatta hospital and 50 million euro
for the Nuwara Eliya hospital. Another 35 million euro has been granted
for the Labugama Kalatuwawa (water) Rehabilitation Project.
The Labugama Kalatuwawa (water) Rehabilitation Project is scheduled
to be commenced in May this year.
The Hungarian delegation that met Minister Amunugama comprised D.P.P.
International President Daniel Puls, Managing Director Sandor Koles,
S.P.B. Investment Ltd Director Istvan Kaknics and ECHOS Kft Director
Gasper Maroth.
During the discussions, Minister Amunugama pointed out that the BoI
and the Sri Lankan Government are very keen to closely work with Hungary
and committed to extend the fullest cooperation to Hungary to invest in
Sri Lanka.
The Minister also briefed the delegation on various incentives and
benefits which can be acquired through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
between India and Pakistan. He said the investors can increase their
profits by manufacturing in and exporting products from Sri Lanka.
The Minister encouraged the investors to invest in the areas such as
ship manufacturing, cement manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors.
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