US economic development program launches website

The Connecting Regional Economies (CORE) program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched its official website www.core.lk.

The (CORE) program website provides information to the public about its work and highlights the people and communities benefiting from its activities.

The user friendly USAID/CORE website allows easy access to the public, its partners and its beneficiaries. The USAID/CORE project is part of the U.S. Government's strategy to increase human and economic security in the East by promoting economic growth in areas affected by the conflict and bordering the conflict.

USAID provided $ 13.5 million over three years for the economic growth program. USAID/CORE has program offices in Colombo, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura and Ampara, covering operations in the Eastern, North Central and Uva provinces. The project teams work closely with implementing companies and beneficiaries to mobilise identified interventions in the dairy, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and other sectors.

USAID/CORE creates linkages with private sector entrepreneurs using an integrated approach through livelihood development, improved value chains, enhanced participation in value chain services, strengthened workforce development and the establishment of a positive business enabling environment. The project seeks to improve the lives of its target beneficiaries through investment, employment, and income enhancement in project areas.

This USAID project is implemented by AECOM International Development together with implementing partners Nathan Associates Inc., Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Business for Peace Alliance (BPA), GreenTech Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. and Texas A&M University.