Thursday, 25 July 2013 01:13
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Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa briefed a visiting European Parliament Delegation recently on the investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka in several areas including the pharmaceutical industry, Kandy Expressway Construction, water supply and drainage systems and motor spares manufacture.
The Minister Rajapaksa also told the delegation that the Government is taking steps to raise the living standards urban shanty dwellers, people in the plantation sector and small time fishermen by identifying their problems and poverty levels on a national scale.
The delegation led by Jean Lambert comprised Thomas Mann, Horst Schnellhardt, Niccolo Rinaldi and Nirj Deva.
Minister Rajapaksa further said that many Tamils who had left Sri Lanka during the war years were now returning to the country following a program the Government has introduced to provide relief to both Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamils of Indian origin by way of housing, infrastructure facilities, educational opportunities and security. He added that the Government was also making job opportunities available to rural women under the Divi Neguma program. Minister Rajapaksa also stressed the need for a program to strengthen the tourism industry between Sri Lanka and Europe since the number of tourist arrivals from Europe has already increased. He said that last year a large number of European tourists had visited the island where the tourist resort system had become popular with all tourists.
The Minister also cited island-wide programs launched to develop agro-industries, medium scale garment manufacturing and to increase export opportunities.
