SMI development programme in Negombo

Irangika Range

The Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion has initiated the Integrated Village Development Project for the benefit of over 800 small and medium scale entrepreneurs in Negombo.

Minister S.B. Nawinna told the Daily News that 10 new manufacturing projects will be commenced in the Negombo Divisional Secretariat under this project. The estimated cost would be Rs. 37 million to commence these 10 projects. Under this, three amenity centres and Product Display Centres will be constructed while construction is expected to be completed by end of May, the Minister added.

Ten manufacturing projects comprises leather products manufacturing, Maldive fish and dry fish processing, ornamental fish, cut foliage, ekel broom and broom manufacturing, mushroom manufacturing, livestock development and dress making.

"We expect to uplift the economic standards of villagers by creating more self-employment opportunities in the area," he said.

It would also provide the best market for the high standard products which inherent in Negombo. He said these 800 entrepreneurs are members of the Self-Employees Project Development Co-operative Society and the necessary equipment, technical knowledge, management , marketing facilities and training workshops will be provided to them.

It has proposed to commence the Maldive fish and dry fish manufacturing in Kuttiduwa while the leather product manufacturing will be set up in Thaladuwa. The ekel broom and broom manufacturing will be commenced in Dungahapitiya. We will facilitate them by constructing the amenities centres and providing latest machinery and infrastructure facilities.