Project to save $ 13m forex annually:
KKS cement factory to be re-opened
by Ranil Wijayapala
The State Resources and Enterprise Development Ministry will
re-establish the now defunct cement factory in Kankesanthurai with an
investment of Rs. 1.5 billion to make it operational within one year
from the date of commencing the project, a spokesman for the Ministry
told the Sunday Observer.
He said that the project proposals to re-establish the factory were
presented to State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister
Dayasritha Tissera by Sri Lanka Cement Corporation Chairman N.S.M.
Samsudeen on Friday.
According to the project proposal the investment for the
re-establishment of the factory will be sought from the Bank of Ceylon
and a copy of the project proposal was also presented to the Bank of
Ceylon by the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation Chairman. The project aims at
producing a minimum of 12,000, 50 Kg cement bags per day with the
commencement of operations.
The Sri Lanka Cement Corporation Chairman said that they could cover
the project cost if the Corporation is selected as the main cement
supplier for the Northern Highway project initiated by the Government.
“The project can save US $ 13 million in foreign exchange spent to
import cement to the country annually and it will also generate 300
direct employment and 400 indirect employment opportunities for people
in Kankesanthurai”, Samsudeen said.
He said that a group of experts with over 30 years’ experience in the
field will implement the project without depending on foreign experts.
Minister Tissera assured that the proposal will be submitted to the
Cabinet to be implemented soon.
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