Massive Industrial Zones in the North

The government has established five industrial zones in the Northern Province to increase the contribution to the national GDP from the Northern Province and to provide employment opportunities to the people in the North thereby uplift the standard of living of these people who were battered by the terrorist atrocities for the last three decades and who were undergoing many hardships.

These industrial zones have been established in Atchchuvely, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Vavuniya and plans have been drawn up to establish several other industrial zones in the Province.  Sri Lankan government has commenced developing infrastructure to set up massive industrial zones in the North within a year, a government official has said.

Governor of the Northern Province Major General G. A. Chandrasiri said that the industrial zones have been established as a result of the government-private sector partnership opening for any local or foreign company to set up their businesses in any of the zones.

He said that the Atchchuvely Industrial Estate, the first industrial zone established in the North after ending the war,  has attracted 52 investors.

Major General Chandrasiri further said that a few multi-national companies operating in Sri Lanka have begun development work at their sites in the Industrial Zones and they will soon include garment factories and food processing centers.

The Governor said one company has begun training 1,000 new recruits from the area to commence production once the construction of their factory is completed.

He said that the Paranthan saltern will also be re-commenced to produce salt within a short period.(niz+).