Tri Star opens up in East with kidswear venture

The first garment factory in the Eastern province was opened yesterday at Thambalagamuwa by the Tri Star Apparel Group, a leader in infantwear exports.

A view of the factory which was opened

The factory launched under the Negenhira Navodaya program with an initial investment of Rs. 75 million will provide employment to 1,000 trained workers in the area. Built on a 50,000 sq ft area the factory will cater to the UK market and got the first order for 50,000 units of baby items from Debenhans, a premier UK apparel company. Chairman, Tri Star Apparel Exports (Pvt) Ltd., Kumar Devapura said that youth were clamouring for jobs but were not given the opportunity. More industries in the North and East will address the unemployment problems.

"Around 4,800 people applied for jobs but many did not possess the skills. Now, a centre has been set up to provide a three month free training to youth of the area", Devapura said. "The district will reap economic benefits with new jobs and with that the enhancement of spending power. It is through the manufacturing and export industries that the country could earn the much needed foreign exchange", he said.

The factory staff consists of all ethnic groups which is an ideal opportunity to build mutual trust and confidence among various communities. The company has nine basic ware manufacturing plants which caters to USA and the UK markets.

The new plant will manufacture around one million units per month. Devapura said the Group was least affected by the global recession as exports are focused on infantware which are exported duty free.

The government should lobby hard for an extension of the GSP Plus concessions. Many inefficient industries had to fade away with the phasing out of the Multi Fibre Agreement.(L.F.)