Economic development:

Local producers to play major role

Chaminda Perera

The Government is on a firm footing to encourage local industrialists and producers to achieve economic development in the country. These local industrialists and producers would be made part and parcel of the process that would lead to the economic prosperity of the country, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President was speaking at the Suriya Singha awards ceremony organized by the Mawbima Lanka Foundation at Temple Trees yesterday.

Thirty six local companies manufacturing a wide range of products received the Suriya Singha certificates on this occasion.

These companies help uplift the country’s economy by promoting local production.

Three companies which promoted local food among the people received special awards from the President.

He said the Government program to establish one million economic units throughout the country will uplift the economy of low income groups.

President Rajapaksa added that the Government has made equal focus on the economic uplift of the family by providing assistance to initiate home gardening, poultry and dairy farm- ing projects under this program.

He emphasized that all strata of the society should rise from poverty and no segment of the society should be spared when the country is on the verge of achieving economic prosperity.

The President said the country can not depend on imports of goods. He said the Government has placed enormous trust on the local industrialists and the producers to win the economic war.

President Rajapaksa said dependence on imports will lead to the collapse of the country’s economy.

He said the policies of the Government varied from time to time.

He added that there was an era in the country where local producers were encouraged to promote production.

The President added that some Governments in the past believed the imports of goods would be the panacea for all ills and promoted the concept that everything can be imported at a cheaper rate.

President Rajapaksa said the country should be proud of our own products. He said the country is on the right track to becoming self sufficient.

He said that there is a tendency in the country to eat rice instead of products made of wheat flour.

The President stressed the importance of growing everything within the country.

President Rajapaksa was of the view that the local producers should aim at the local and international market alike.

He said that they should be able to win international markets tool.