90% of BOI firms resume operations

Tuesday, 12 May 2020 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Charumini de Silva

Around 90% of Board of Investment (BOI) approved factories within the 12 Export Processing Zones (EPZs) have begun operations by yesterday with an estimated 50% employee turnout, a top official confirmed.

“Most of the factories began operations even during the lockdown, but as of yesterday 90% of the total factories within the BOI zones were operational with 50% of its employees reporting to work,” BOI Director General Sanjaya Mohottala told the Daily FT.

According to him, most of these factories were working close to its full capacity, while some were operating on late shifts keeping in line with the guidelines issued by the health authorities.

Mohottala said the key challenge during the lockdown period was to reopen factories, resolve operational issues of the BOI approved factories as well as to explore new opportunities.

It was noted that spot-checks by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) associated with the zones will be carried out on a regular basis.

There are total of 244 factories employing 46,230 in 12 EPZs.