Proper use of natural resources key to development

Proper utilisation of natural resources coupled with increased production based on local enterprises and local produce are the key factors behind the overall development of any country in the world, Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said.

Addressing a group of local entrepreneurs at his office in Colombo recently, Minister Gunawardene said the Government was highly committed to encourage the local industrialists by various incentives and added this would result in enhanced production, increased employment opportunities and the collection of the much needed foreign exchange.

By encouraging the small and middle level industrial sector, we can also ward off poverty, malnutrition and scarcity of food etc. Japan has become an industrial giant by following a strong policy of encouraging small entrepreneurs.

The sole aim of our Government is to ensure a healthy economic and social atmosphere to our people so that they can live free from poverty and other crises. Along with the economic development, there must also be social development, the Minister said.