Engineering profession to be omitted under CEPA agreement

Hathoon Sheriffdeen

The engineering profession can be omitted in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India and Pakistan (CEPA). Since there is no controlling body for the engineering profession, we will ensure the profession does not fall under the agreements, Director General, Department of Commerce, Manil De Silva said.

Services of professionals from various countries used for foreign projects will be standardised to maximise the amount of local professionalism's usage in future, which will enlighten the interest of the country with a balanced mind, Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof G, L Peiris said at a discussion held at the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka recently.

The discussion was about the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India and Pakistan which has liberalised professionals coming in for various projects to Sri Lanka. "The global employment market has a massive demand for Sri Lankan engineers.

The technical and the professional standard of local engineers are very high. Action will be taken to utilise the services of local engineers in future to maintain the standards," the Minister said.

The Government has signed an agreement worth US$ 800 million with the construction industry of Dubai recently. Through the agreement we will have plenty of construction projects to be completed by local companies in the industry in Dubai in future. This will enhance the demand of local engineers in future, the Minister said.

"To promote the service sector we are also negotiating with India. Already we had eleven discussions with the Indian Government to form contracts on various projects. "The Government is interested in establishing progress through CEPA and enlighten the interest of the country with a balanced mind," he said.