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| Sunday, 22 September 2002 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Mundo Gas, wholesale vegetable markets - new Govt. initiatives Mundo Gas will start commercial operations early next month, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake said at a recent news conference. He said the facility at Galle presently used to store ammunition will be handed over shortly to the company. Once this is completed, the shipping of gas to Sri Lanka on barges from Philippines will commence. A wholesale market was established at Maligawatte last week to sell vegetables at wholesale prices. The market, equipped with modern storage facilities, is housed on a 7000 square foot complex. The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) came together with 26 vegetable farmers and wholesalers of the Dambulla Economic Centre and the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment to start this venture. The new wholesale market will enable consumers in the city to buy fresh vegetables at reduced prices, said President SLFPA Mario de Alwis. The main aim of the project is to minimise post-harvest losses by bringing the market closer to the consumer. Vegetables prices are expected to come down by about 40 per cent as a result of this move. Although the Manning Market has been in operation for a long time, consumers were not able to buy fresh vegetables at reasonable prices. Lack of distribution and central storage facilities are reasons for the increase in prices. "The UNF Government is planning to set up similar wholesale markets in several areas around the country together with the Ministry of Rural Economy. We have already made arrangements to set up wholesale vegetable markets in areas such as Avissawella, Kalutara and Gampaha," Minister Karunanayake said. |
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