Atchuveli Industrial Estate:

2,500 jobs under phase one

by Naalir Jamaldeen

The Government has taken steps to improve the industrial sector in all parts of the country including the North and the East. Several development projects have been launched by the Government under the Northern Emergency Recovery Program (NERP).

One of the projects under NERP is the Atchuveli Industrial Estate development project funded by the Sri Lankan and Indian Governments. Work will be completed in seven phases, Site Engineer Shantha Devi said.

The army helped in removing land-mines and other dangerous explosives which were planted during LTTE terrorism.

Under the first phase a huge outer wall will be constructed surrounding the site at a cost of Rs 22.16 million.

Under the second phase, access roads, water supply and construction of supply grid, electricity supply within the project area, waste water management system and fire prevention measures will be implemented.

She said that the Achchuveli Industrial Estate will be built on a 65-acre block of land. Under the first phase 25 acres will be developed.

The administrative block of the Industrial Development Board has already been constructed by the Government. Altogether Rs. 250 million will be spent on the entire project. Rs. 180 million will be spent on infrastructure development.

Coconut, gingerly, timber rubber and aluminium based products, ice cube and building materials such as cement blocks and concrete pillars will be manufactured here, she said.

There had been an industrial park at the same site with 30 factories, before 1990, providing employment to over 2,000 people by producing handloom textiles, tin roofing sheets and some other products, the engineer said.

Under the first phase nearly 2,500-3,000 job opportunities would be created. Employment opportunities depend on the type of investment, she said.

The Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry said initial work and infrastructure development is taking place rapidly.

Under the first phase, 22 blocks will be constractors to accommodate four small-scale, 14 medium-scale and four large-scale plants.

Construction work is being carried out by constructors from Jaffna and Batticaloa. A large number of youth has found jobs at the construction site, she said.

The project is being implemented by the Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry and the Industrial Development Board.

Infrastructure development work is due to be completed by the end of the year, according to Ministry sources.

Garment giants, mainly the Board of Investment (BOI) approved companies, have expressed their desire to invest in the Atchuveli Industrial Estate.

Site research was conducted by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). The initial environmental examination and surveying has been completed.

The Ministry will use the Indian grant of Rs 235 million to develop infrastructure facilities at Atchuveli Industrial Estate. The steering committee along with Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry, the Indian Government and the External Resources Department has appointed UNOPS as project manager for water supply, electricity and road development.

The total investment on the project is around Rs 280 million of that which the Sri Lankan Government has invested Rs 45 million.

Uthuru Wasanthaya, the Northern development drive also plays a pivotal role in implementing multi-sector development projects in the North.

The industrial sector has become the main contributor to economic development. Certain countries which depended on agriculture based production and exports have gradually shifted to industrial sector exports.