Achchuveli Industrial Estate, a fillip for North

The setting up of the Achchuveli Industrial Estate in the North will be a major boost for the economy and livelihood development in the region, said Industrial Development Board (IDB) Chairman Nawaz Rajabdeen.

He said the industrial zone will not only help revive the Northern economy but also provide training for youth who have immense potential to contribute to the development of the region.

“We have identified several industries to launch operations in the zone which comprises around 60 acres. The 25-acre block under the first phase has all the facilities to set up factories. We have provided electricity, security and built a water purification plant to facilitate industrial development,” Rajabdeen said.

The Indian Government has provided Rs 235 million as a grant while the Sri Lanka Government has provided Rs 50 million to set up the industrial estate.

The total investment is around Rs. 280 million.

The Ministry of Small Enterprise Development and the IDB launched work to revive the estate in 2011.

Rajabdeen said that 19 industrialists have already taken blocks of land to set up enterprises such as light metal, fibre glass, netting, paper recycling, food and agri based industries, steel, metal and cement based industries.

"Around 61 applicants have shown interest and we are in the process of short listing applicants to distribute blocks of land," Rajabdeen said.

He said that once the blocks under the first phase are occupied the remaining 30 blocks will be developed. The project will create employment for 2,000-3,000 people in the Jaffna peninsula.

The Achchuveli Industrial Estate was one of the best productive industrial estates with over 30 units operating before terrorism erupted.

- LF