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| Sunday,13 November 2005 |
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'Mahinda Chinthana' targets realistic - Cabraal by Don Asoka Wijewardena The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing organised a panel discussion on "How will the new direction and change of policies benefit the marketing and business community" at Ceylon Hotel Continental on November 09. Chartered Accountant and Economic Advisor to Prime Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal, representing the United People's Freedom Alliance made a presentation on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse's election manifesto 'Mahinda Chinthana'. Excerpts of Cabraal's speech: It is useful for us to reflect on the expected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in the Prime Minister's Election Manifesto " Mahinda Chinthana". Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse expects 8 per cent GDP growth which is quite possible. The UNP Election manifesto says Ranil Wickremesinghe expects 9 to 10 per cent GDP growth in the coming years if he is elected President.The way UNP tries to achieve 9 to 10 per cent GDP is rather unclear in the manifesto. 'Mahinda Chinthana' 8 per cent GDP growth is a challenging target that can be achieved when the country's economic strategies are properly implemented as mentioned in 'Mahinda Chinthana'. It will also assure huge developmental activities in aspects of the economy and private participation is welcomed. Education has been prioritised and young men and women who possess required skills and knowledge will be given suitable employment. Development of animal husbandry, infrastructure, airports, harbours will have a positive impact on the overall growth and credit facilities for the Small and Medium scale entrepreneurs and industrialists have been increased with more SME banks. 'Mahinda Chinthana' also recognises that in the globalisation process Sri Lanka cannot be isolated. Sri Lanka must make every effort to obtain international expertise in the spheres of development and technological advancement to develop mother Lanka. 'Mahinda Chinthana' is a practical one.In Sri Lanka 50 per cent of the population is in agricultural sector and 'Mahinda Chinthana' has a meticulous plan to develop agriculture in each and every area of the country where we expect growth in agriculture. I am positive we can anticipate GDP growth of 8 per cent when local resources are made productive and utilised by setting up a national economic structure. 'Mahinda Chinthana' strengthens the poor by establishing 12 new industrial zones and 300 new industries for every divisional secretariat, with special loan schemes with low interest rates. In the tourism sector Sri Lanka targets 1.5 million tourist arrivals in 2011. One of the most important things is that we target to create 2.4 million jobs by 2011 with 7 per cent annual growth rate. The JVP is a constituent party of the UPFA. They are not aliens. They are our brothers and sisters. We have no problems with the JVP. |
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