Zone’s first stage ready by March:
Atchuveli to attract foreign investors
Shirajiv Sirimane in Jaffna
The first stage of the Atchuveli industrial zone would be ready by
March this year. Several local and foreign investors have expressed
interest to commence operations. The President of The Chamber of
Commerce and Industry Yarlpanam, K. Poornachandran said that the first
stage would include the developing of 25 acres and a further 67 acres
would be added to the second stage. ‘Under the first stage 40 companies
would operate and the total direct and indirect employment from the
project would be over 6,000.’
Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise
Development Douglas Devananda, Consul General of India in Jaffna,
V. Mahalingam, the President, FCCISL, Kumar Mallimaratchi,
Director of LECS Imran Hassan opening the JITF. Picture by
Saliya Rupasinghe |
One of the biggest advantages similar to the Hambantota airport and
harbour industrial zones would be the close proximity of an
international harbour and airport. “The Palali airport which is to be
elevated to an international airport and Kankesanthurai harbour are
located less than 10 kilometres to the zone giving investors the
opportunity for exports,” he said speaking at the opening of the three
day Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) which was concluded last
Sunday at Alfred Dureiappa Stadium.
He requested the Indian government to open credit line through EXIM
so that small and medium entrepreneurs could obtain financial assistance
to expand.
He also appealed to expedite rebuilding the railway to Jaffna.
“The JITF also helped them find new markets,” he said. “Year 2012 is
completely development oriented, and therefore the trade fair is also
focused on development.”
Consul General of India in Jaffna, V. Mahalingam said the Indian
government would be investing US $ 20 million to rebuild Kankasanthurei
harbour. ‘This would be ready by March,” he said. He also said that the
Indian government is also assisting in upgrading Palali airport which
too would be ready mid this year.
Government Agent, Jaffna Emelda Sukumar said that by the end of the
year the province would have total coverage of electricity and all main
cities would have pipe borne water. “Pipe borne water in Jaffna would be
utilized for industries,’ she said. She also assured that a carpeted
road network to Jaffna from Vavuniya would be completed in two years.
The President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Kumar Mallimaratchi said that JITF helped
inhabitants and traders of Jaffna to make technological exchanges and be
in line with the vast advances that have taken place in technology.
‘This will help the traders in their endeavour to create more efficient
and sustainable businesses,” he said.
Recently, the Northern Province recorded a provincial nominal GDP
growth rate of 14.2 per cent, the second highest in Sri Lanka and
Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal earlier this month predicted
that the North and East were expected to grow at 13 percent during the
next four years.
The trade fair organized by Sri Lanka’s award winning event
organizing company, Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS)
attracted over 200 companies both local and international, exhibiting
over 300 stalls. Over 60,000 visitors participated.
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