Industries Minister to take necessary steps with banks to speed up credit facilities for SMEs

Plantation Industries and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana

Plantation Industries and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana instructed the officials yesterday in Parliament to speed up the activities of providing credit facilities through the intervention of the Ministry of Industry in order to avoid the difficulties faced by the small and medium scale industrialists.

Minister stated this when the Ministerial Consultative committee on Industries met yesterday (06) in Parliament under his chairmanship.

Accordingly, the Minister gave the necessary instructions to the officials including Secretary to the Ministry Thilaka Jayasundara, to discuss with the banks and provide credit facilities to the industrialists who have already been given project reports.

The Minister also said that through the restriction of imports, a great progress can be seen in the industrial sector of this country. Accordingly, the highest export income of $ 13.1 billion was recorded last year (2022), he added.

The minister also stated that 22 car and three-wheeler assembly industrialists are currently working in the country and industrial development activities are being carried out in 20 identified areas.

Many issues related to various industries such as gem and jewellery, clay, cashews, cane, bamboo etc. were brought to the attention of the committee by the members. The Minister instructed the Ministry Secretary and other officials to take immediate action in this regard.

Primary Industries State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake and many members of Parliament were also present in the committee meeting. Industry Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara and the officials of the institutions under the Ministry were also present.