Discussion with BOI Zone Manufacturers Association
Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Dr
Sarath Amunugama, and other officials met with the Presidents,
Secretaries and Representatives of the Manufacturers Association from
the 12 Export Processing Zones of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.
The objective of this meeting was to create an ongoing dialogue
between the Government and Private Sector to discuss challenges faced by
industries following the recent global economic downturn. Minister
Amunugama told the business community that the Sri Lankan economy was
highly resilient in facing the current economic crisis as a result of
the lowering of the price of oil and the reduced cost of building
materials.
Furthermore by 2010 the cost of power would go down when the
Norochchollai Plant becomes operational. Currently there were some
positive signs such as growing occupancy at hotels in Colombo and
outstations, which was a sign that the tourist sector was recovering.
Discussions also centered on increasing the salaries of Zone workers.
On this issue and other relevant matters pertaining to the zones, the
entrepreneurs from the various Export Processing Zones made a number of
suggestions and recommendations. These included the need for boarding
houses and other welfare facilities for workers.
The BOI recently started work on a hostel for 1,500 workers at the
Katunayake Export Processing Zone. The new facility will be built on 3
acres of land and will include accommodation, recreational and medical
facilities, a restaurant and a shopping area.
The Minister also discussed a number of steps taken by the BOI to
access more effectively new sources of investment from India and from
China. The opening of Sri Lanka Centre at the Shanghai Mart was one
action in this direction.
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