AmCham calls on Govt. to approve $ 480 m MCC grant

Wednesday, 4 September 2019 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says proposed infrastructure and land projects will have 19% and 26% ROI respectively
Will benefit 54% of local population
Says projects selected after wide-ranging consultation
Wants Govt. to approve grant before MCC board meeting on 18 Sept.

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Sri Lanka yesterday urged the Government to consider approving the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, pointing out the projects under the $480 million grant would improve infrastructure and encourage land reforms to attract investment.

This $480 million grant focuses on two key constraints to Sri Lanka’s economic growth, identified by Harvard University’s Center for International Development: weak transport infrastructure, and weak land administration practices.

AmCham Sri Lanka is strongly committed towards uplifting the country’s economy, and aiding such development that will benefit its membership and the larger business community. In this light, AmCham calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to approve this grant, consider the advantageous impact the MCC will have on the country’s economy, and make this a priority before MCC’s Board of Directors meets on 18 September 2019.

All of the projects and activities in the program were proposed by the Government of Sri Lanka years ago, in extensive consultation with line ministries and departments, business chambers, and over a hundred individual firms, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, think-tanks, banks, and local entrepreneurs.

“The transport project, if implemented, has an estimated economic rate of return of 19%, while the land project has an estimated economic rate of return of 26%. Both these projects have a further intangible social impact,” AmCham said in a statement.

The transport project will reduce traffic congestion in and out of Colombo; create safer, more reliable public transportation through modernising the bus service; and lower the transport costs required to connect people and goods with markets through upgrades to existing interprovincial roads in the Central, Uva, and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

The land project will support existing, historically under-resourced Government initiatives to help the Government create an inventory of state lands; strengthen the land valuation department; increase tenure security for smallholders, women, and firms by scaling up Bim Saviya; and digitise deeds records so that they are less vulnerable to damage, theft, and loss, the statement added.

Together, the two projects are projected to benefit 11.3 million people, which accounts for 54% of Sri Lanka’s population.

“AmCham in Sri Lanka stands committed to implement our mandate which is to promote activities that would encourage and stimulate investment by US companies, support ongoing business operations of its members and encourage bilateral trade between the US and Sri Lanka,” it said.