Government mulling dedicated Agro Export Zones with PPPs

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 01:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government is keen to set up dedicated Agro Export Zones (AEZ), Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said yesterday.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (seated fourth from left) leads the meeting of department heads yesterday

“We want to establish more AEZs dedicated for export of crops. I am looking at establishing them with private sector participation,” the Minister said, addressing a meeting of department heads of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, held at the Ministry premises yesterday.

The AEZ concept was introduced in the 2009 Budget speech by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with a Rs. 500 million allocation to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). The zones were proposed to be set up in agricultural districts in Sri Lanka.

The first dedicated AEZ was opened in the Bingiriya electorate based on identification by EDB that Kurunegala region has potential for foliage production for exports. The two-acre Bingiriya zone was also assisted by the Korean International Cooperation Organisation (KOICA) and commenced in February 2009.

“The zones will be facilitated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce focusing on Private-Public Partnerships,” Minister Bathiudeen revealed.

To showcase the Bingiriya Zone’s production and to celebrate its second anniversary, a flower festival, ‘Bingiriya Mal Wasantaya 2011,’ was also successfully held by EDB at the project site in May this year.