Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Monday, 16 January 2017 00:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
Riding high on the proposed reinstatement of GSP+, an upbeat Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently noted that his Government had but “one task ahead”, which was to personally invite the private sector to set up factories and create new jobs and to this end fresh investment zones would be created.
Addressing a public gathering in Galle, Wickremesinghe spoke extensively of factories inaugurated by the Government since the start of the year and noted that some investors had highlighted the non-availability of land in already demarcated investment zones as a prohibition for further investment.
“An estimated five to ten acres are left in the Koggala investment zone and we must use them productively. We will not limit our investment zones only to Hambantota. We have already identified a company to set up a factory at Charlie Mount Watta, which we will convert into a 350-acre investment zone,” he said.
State-run Industrial Development Ltd. is already busy establishing Sri Lanka’s first private investment zone in Sapugaskanda and the same company will take over the infrastructure tasks of the proposed zone in Galle. The Government has sought assistance from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the Charlie Mount Watta project. The Prime Minister assured discussions were underway to float a joint venture between Industrial Development and an Indian company to build infrastructure in the Charlie Mount zone.
“Seven hundred acres in Ingiriya will also be converted into an investment zone,” Wickremesinghe said, noting that the Andhra Pradesh government was also interested in establishing investment zones in Hambantota and Kalutara.
Investment...
“The next thing we have to do is train young people for these jobs. Our existing technical colleges have to be improved. I have already debriefed the three relevant ministers on this need. Without industries we cannot improve living standards.”
The Prime Minister was adamant that the new investment zones would not only be limited to large companies but would also create space for entrepreneurs and smaller business owners. During his address, Wickremesinghe revealed plans by the Government to demarcate Benthara to Galle as a tourism zone and develop the areas through the development of the Galle town and surrounding urban areas.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe later in the week also slammed MP Namal Rajapaksa for criticising the creation of investment zones in four districts including Hambantota pointing out that the disapproval stemmed from “petty political agendas.” He has also gone on the record saying that many other ministers are keen to see the new investments shifted to their electorates including President Sirisena, who called for a possible move to Polonnaruwa.
PM leaves for World Economic Forum in Davos
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will today leave for Davos-Klosters, Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum from 17-21 January.
This year the World Economic Forum will see the participation of leaders from 40 countries who will engage in dialogue focusing on topics ranging from populism and climate change to technology and cultural heritage.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Strategic Development and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama and Telecom and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando will also participate in the forum. Wickremesinghe also attended last year’s forum.
