USAID Matara market restoration project helps build better businesses

MATARA: The Matara Municipal Council’s central market place was completely destroyed by the tsunami, depriving the community of a primary source of goods and services for 4,000 daily customers, and the livelihoods of more than 300 producers, suppliers and vendors, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) provided funds to reconstruct the marketplace, including 200 vending stalls, and new water supply, drainage, and sanitation systems. USAID will help them to become better business people.

“Like people all around the world, Americans were deeply shocked and saddened by the tsunami tragedy, so it is an honour for the US government to make a small contribution to rebuilding your community,” said US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Moore at a ceremony dedicating the building. “We hope this market will be a source of pride for all the people of Matara for a long time to come.”

In conjunction with the physical reconstruction, USAID also helped train more than 200 of the market’s multi-ethnic vendors develop business management skills, assisting them in forming a collective society to address work-related issues, institute a new system for solid-waste management, and identify best practices for vendors and customers alike.

“The training element of the project promises to help the hundreds of vendors and suppliers who use the market to organise and collectively improve their businesses and the quality of good and services they offer,” Moore said.

The project was developed in collaboration with the Municipal Council as part of its overall post-tsunami redevelopment master plan. The new pola is a central element of that plan, which boosts the local economy, improves services to the public, and increases revenues for the city. It also makes for a more attractive Matara.

“We thank the American people for helping to improve the economy of Matara and the quality of life of its people,” said Shan Wijeyalal de Silva, Chief Minister of Southern Provincial Council. “We must assure the market stays well maintained on behalf of future generations in Matara.”