Industry and Commerce positions for President’s 2030 initiative

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen addresses Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s first working day event at its premises on 2 January 2017  

The Industry and Commerce Ministry threw its full weight behind the latest national initiative on poverty and sustainable resources on 2 January.

 “President Maithripala Sirisena, in his Vision for Sri Lanka 2030, has declared moving on UN’s 2030 Agenda,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on yesterday in Colombo.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the special 2017 first working day event of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce held at the ministry premises. The session saw more than 260 employees of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce taking part in a one-hour long, traditional start-of-the-year religious function.

“President’s vision is designed giving due consideration to the goals in UN’s 2030 agenda. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce and all its officials will make their best efforts in 2017 to achieve these as well as support the Government’s Poverty Alleviation program. We are using public funds in our work and we have to show best outcomes to people since it is their funds. We have achieved many of our performance targets for 2016. This year will be no different,” said Minister Bathiudeen.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is responsible for promoting industrial development and in addition; chemicals, mineral sands, graphite, cement, textile and apparels. It is also given functions in the development of State-managed domestic and FMCG trade (along with sugar and salt supply), consumer protection and market weights and measurements, international trade development, national entrepreneur development and SMEs, rural consumer support through cooperative policies, local business development, preserving and developing the national traditions of crafts, handlooms, designs and artisans etc. To implement the Government’s vision of national industry and commerce development, this ministry also partners with international organisations such as UN’s Industrial Development Organization UNIDO, World Intellectual Property Organisation etc.

The UN’s 2030 Agenda was adopted during United Nations General Assembly 2015.