Program to help local industries

A program has been launched under the Jathika Saviya- Gama Neguma development program to help local craftmen by upgrading the sectors of supply and services in the industry to obtain better productivity. Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa with the participation of Secretaries of Ministries attended a meeting in this connection.

Plans are under way to promote the traditional crafts in the local market. This could save a large amount of foreign exchange and also benefit the local manufacturers engaged in different crafts.

The Government is also planning to assist farmers engaged in the dairy industry. The government officials have held discussions to explore the possibility of setting up dairy farms in State owned lands.

Plans are also under way to introduce a new policy to encourage manufacturing procedures and local production of some products which are imported at present.

The Ministry of Finance has agreed to allocate more funds in the next budget to boost the local manufacturing industry and local manufacture. Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance, Industrial Development, Ministry of Trade and Commerce and Government officials were present.