CCI President hails construction industry positivity; calls for inclusion of local consultants, cont

Friday, 9 September 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka construction industry is experiencing positive signals from the Government regarding the potential for investment and development of several projects.

For example, the Colombo International Financial City has once again been given the green light to commence operations. Some of the Megapolis Projects such as Light Rail Transport offered by the Japanese Government have also been accepted. The Highway Project to Kandy has commenced work.

Generally speaking, the major contracting firms are full with work. In addition, the private sector mega projects, mainly real estate, have also commenced or are waiting to commence. However, there is no visibility in the FDI Investments which the Government has been promoting. Hopefully, these will be fruitful soon.

Our Prime Minister, RanilWickremesinghe, must be commended for taking the initiative in overseas countriesto promote the Megapolis Project in Sri Lanka, similar to what Prime Minister NarendraModidid in India to promote the 100 Smart Cities. In this connection, both Prime Ministers have been marketing their countries in the capitals of the wealthiest countries in the world, meeting their corporate giants and government leaders with a view to attracting FDI.

The construction industry is concernedas to what the Government policy is in regard to foreign investment/development, as we are made to understand both in the media and from the policy statements of the State agencies that land and projects are being offered to foreign companies. If so, how will the local construction industry, including the private corporate sector associated with it, benefit?

In the recent past, there have been projects where local input has been minimal. Therefore, we respectfully request the Government to include in its negotiations and agreements that a reasonable proportion of the work be allocated to the local consultants and contractors. If this is possible, there will be technology transfer and knowledge gains in both professionalism and skills in the construction industry. This will pave the way for a ‘reverse brain-drain’ and most importantly for the sustainability for the future growth of the industry.

Another urgent matter facing the construction industry, is the shortage of skilled labour, to meet its requirements, especially at a time when Sri Lanka is on the threshold of a huge boom for its growth. In this connection, I requestthe Chinese Government to consider setting up one or more skills training facilities in different parts of Sri Lanka, as it will greatly assist the skills requirement of approximately a million persons needed for the construction industry, over the next five years. CCI will be pleased to participate in such a venture.