ADB seminar in Vavuniya

The Asian Development Bank conducted a two-day Business Opportunities Seminar on September 20-21 in Vavuniya.

Organised with the support of the Northern Provincial Council, a number of other development partners including the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and USAID also made presentations at the seminar.

The seminar was inaugurated by the Governor of the Northern Province, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri and attended by many key representatives of the Government including the Chief Secretary of the Northern Provincial Council A. Sivasamy, Government Agent Vavuniya Ms P. S. M. Charles, representatives from the Northern District Secretariats as well as contractors, consultants and suppliers.

The primary objective of the Business Opportunities Seminar was to provide the participants with information on reconstruction projects undertaken in the region.

This seminar will cover a many areas relating to business opportunities, particularly in civil works in the North, including procurement policies and other implementation issues and arrangements.

Key stakeholders in the construction industry, the Institute for Construction Training and Development, Chamber of Construction Industry as well as prominent equipment leasing companies such as Lanka Orix Leasing Company, People's Leasing Company and Associated Motorways (Leasing) Ltd, also participated.

Speaking of the importance of this seminar, Country Director Sri Lanka Resident Mission of the ADB Dr. Richard Vokes said, "As reconstruction and development projects in the Northern Province gather momentum, it is important that all stakeholders be provided with access to the information to enable them to play their role in the rehabilitation and development efforts of Sri Lanka".