China to set up tractor factory

China has agreed to set up a tractor manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka.

It was discussed when Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka who is on a visit to China to participate at the 10th Trade Exhibition at Sichuan Province in Western China requested a Chinese company to open up a tractor factory in Sri Lanka.

During this tour, the Prime Minister said Sri Lanka is an agricultural country. There is a big demand for tractors and requested the management authorities of Chu Aniong Company to open up a tractor manufacturing plant there.

The Prime Minister also stressed these tractors will attract a big demand in the Northern and Eastern Provinces which have now been totally liberated from terrorism.

In response to the Prime Minister’s request the management authorities of this tractor company said they are prepared to accede to this offer and added that they will send a team of officials here to prepare a feasibility report on this matter.

The Prime Minister also said the Government had launched a massive program to rebuild the country’s economy and the program Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu has also become highly successful in Sri Lanka.

It is also the intention of the Government to utilize every inch of arable land for food production, the Prime Minister said.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in China Karunathilake Amunugama and officials were also present.