Atchchuveli Industrial Estate Development Project second phase commences

By E. Weerapperuma 

The second phase of the Atchchuveli Industrial Estate Development Project in Jaffna is now in progress, thanks to the initiative and efforts of Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who ensured the provision of allocation of Rs. 100 million to this project from the 2018 Budget. 

This development project has given a new phase of life to the polity living in the northern region in the island, and to those living in close proximity to the Industrial Estate in Atchchuveli.

Acting on the directives of Industrial Development Board Chairman Mahinda Jinasena, the process of turning the area into a fully-equipped industrial zone, with facilities to cater to all needs propping up, has also created new employment opportunities to the unemployed, IDB sources said.

The new industries have given a boost to the area and those living close-by, could now come up with new products, manufactured using raw material available in and around their locality and making the best use of ability and their inborn talents, the sources added. 

Plans are also drawn to encourage those existing industries to boost up their products and efforts are been made to attract new investors to the industrial estate. 

Steps have also been taken to reimburse 50% of the expenditure incurred in view of the electricity used by the industrialists during 2018 and the electricity would be used in 2019. The required money in this regard has been set aside by Budget 2018, IDB sources said.

Recipients of the pecuniary assistance received their cheques from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the Chief Guest at the ‘Diviyata Udana’ national program, a concept of Bathiudeen, and the ceremony was held on Sunday 22 July at the Public Grounds in Jaffna. Some of the budding industrialists of the locality received Rs. 18 million worth equipment and tools necessary to upgrade their work places.

Those present at the occasion with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe included Bathiudeen, Agriculture Deputy Minister R. Angayan, Members of Parliament Mavai Senathirajan, A. Sumanthiran, E. Saravanapavan and Vijayakala Maheshwaran and Chief Minister V. Wigneswaran and IDB Director General P.L.U. Ratnamalala.