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Tuesday, 11 March 2014 01:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Bahiudeen was addressing the entrepreneur and industrial awards event by the North Western Province, the ‘Wayamba Wijayabhimani Viyaparika Vishishtatha Awards’ held at the Provincial Council Auditorium of the Province, Kurunegala.
The awards series, to recognise, reward and motivate the entrepreneurs and industries who have profoundly contributed to the economic development of the North Western Province, has been led by the Industrial Services Bureau (ISB) of NWP under the patronage of the NW-Provincial Council. According to the organisers, this provincial awards scheme covers micro, small, medium, large and extra-large enterprises, in many sectors including the industry and manufacturing sectors.
Also taking part were Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Governor of North Western Province Tissa Balalla, Chief Minister of North Western Province Dayasiri Jayasekera, Industrial Services Bureau Chairman Jayantha Wijeratne, Industrial Services Bureau CEO Neelakanth Wanninayaka and award recipients.
Sri Lanka’s factory industry sector is the leading contributor to industries and in 2013 first half it grew by 6.2%. Within it, food, beverages and tobacco products grew by 6.2% and non-metallic mineral products grew by 4.9%, while textile, wearing apparel and leather products grew by 6.5% (during the first half of 2013).
Niranga Enterprises won the micro sector Best Award, while Manufacturing Best Award was won by TNG Packaging Ltd., followed by Tropical Health Food (for Medium scale) and Selyn Exporters (for Large Scale). Dankotuwa Porcelain Ltd. clinched the Extra Large scale Best Award for Manufacturing. Many other awards and certificates for entrepreneurship too were handed out.
“I commend the organisers of this event for pioneering, provincial level initiatives that help us to improve our national GDP growth. I also commend them for taking the industry and manufacturing sector of this province for their awards considerations. Industry and manufacturing is the essential engine of development of any economy,” said Bathiudeen.
“These sectors also provide employment. Thanks to the committed leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s industry sector now contributes 28% of our GDP. In 2013, industrial exports performed strongly driven by the large apparel export revenues, which showed a historic record earnings of $ 4.3 b. This province is located next to the most industrialised province of Sri Lanka, the Western Province, which has a provincial GDP growth rate of 13%. This province itself has a share of 10% of national GDP, which shows there is strong potential for growth in future. I believe that sectors such as business, entrepreneurship, industry and manufacturing can help this province to grow further. I am pleased to say that, as the Minister in charge of National Enterprise Development Agency of Sri Lanka (NEDA), we have already extended more than Rs. 3.5 m, that is about $ 27,000 valued support, to this province.”
In 2012 and 2013, NEDA has supported entrepreneur development in the province, with new programs such as the Coir Sector Development Program, Women Entrepreneur Development Program, enhancement of vocational trainees, business development service fairs and Light Engineering Cluster Development Program. The value of the total support for the last two years exceeded $ 27,000.
This year NEDA will be launching three new initiatives for this province. They are, a Pottery cluster development program providing technical training and financial assistance for the Light Engineering Program and the Coir Sector Development Program.
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa addressing the event said it was a good provincial development initiative. “However, most entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka today are saddled with bureaucracy. Even a small-scale entrepreneur has to go to more than 20 Government agencies before they commence their business finally. By then they are tired,” Rajapaksa added.
