Two car assembly plants for H'tota

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Two car assembly plants will be set up at the Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port by the end of the year. One would be from Transmec Engineering 'manufacture's of Micro and the second would be Senok.

Both investors would import raw material from overseas and assemble vehicles and re export. A percentage would be sold in Sri Lanka.

In addition the project committee appointed for the consideration of the request of the investors who are interested in investments in Ruhunu Magampura Port premises issued 63 applications locally and internationally and 27 investors submitted their proposals for the investments.

Out of the 27 investors who expressed interest to commence projects, six investors had bid for cement industry.

They would grind cement in Hambantota, pack and re export. In addition a Sugar refinery too is expected to be set up in this proposed economic zone by the end of the year. A fertilizer and a canning plant too would be set up.

Four more local and international investors are keen to start enterprises related to lubricants.

Chief Engineer of the Ruhunu Magampura Port, Agil Hewageekiyanage said that some would bring oil in bulk, process them and re-export in bottle while another investor is keen to export refined oil in barrels.

More than 2000 hectares of lands adjoining the harbour will be declared as a special economic and industrial zone to boost industrial and commercial activities.

The Project Committee has received proposals from three investors for warehousing and these investors would provide service facilities such as storage, transport and other related services.