Face-lift for Northern industries

Chamikara Weerasinghe

The industries in the North that became defunct during the war, are being reactivated by the government as part of its post-war reconciliation effort.

India has provided a Rs. 199 million grant to the government to reactivate the Achchuveli Industrial Estate in Jaffna in a goodwill gesture to support the government's efforts, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothi said yesterday.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot to revive the ceased Palmyra industry in the North to go side by side with the construction work of the Achchuveli Industrial Park.

The government has allocated Rs 25 million to reconstruct the main industrial building at Achchuveli in a 65-acre land.

The Ministry has tendered the construction contract of the administrative block of the Achchuveli Industrial Estate to the Buildings Department, said Sivagnanasothi.

"The National Building Research Organization has carried out soil testing in the construction area. An initial environmental examination is being carried to commence construction," he said.

India is trying to get the assistance of the United Nations' Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for cost effective management of Achchuveli development, he said.

The government plans to generate at least 5,000 direct and indirect jobs for the people in the North through the Achchuveli Industrial Park, said Sivagnanasothi.

The facility became defunct since 1971.

The war destroyed the building into rubbles. "We plan to reestablish industries such as poultry, food processing, stainless steel, soap, coconut oil, office furniture , plastic products, coir-based products and light engineering at the facility," he said.

"About 48 investors have shown interest in starting their industries," he said.

"We expect to get the participation of those who have been resettled in these areas for these industries," Sivagnanasothi said.

"The Ministry has already introduced programmes to train them in various fields of industrial work." Speaking on the revival of the Palmyra industry, he said , the Palmyra Industrial Research Institute in Kaithaddi , Jaffna was in a dilapidated condition since 1986.

It did much to the palmyra industry in the Northeast during its operative years, paving the way for value added products in palmyra, such as jaggery, sap, vinegar, soft drinks and fruit pulp among other things.

India has extended Rs 100 million for the reconstruction of the institute's main building.

The government allocated Rs 21 million.

The Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry will start construction of the building from next month, he said.