Sri Lanka is thankful for high EU support for various livelihood projects for the internally displaced, especially in the Northern and Eastern regions, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said.
Minister Bathiudeen addressing a visiting four member EU Parliamentary delegation including EU Parliamentarians David Martin, Richard Howitt and Ana Gomes and Brigitte Bataille, Policy Advisor.
Briefing the delegation on Sri Lanka’s progress on resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihoods of IDPs, Minister Bathiudeen said: “We have already provided livelihood training for former combatants through the successful efforts of Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training and will continue to assist them. For instance, on January 20, a special project will see many such individuals in Mannar District receiving livelihood support through the Divineguma project. We are also now discussing with donor agencies for more support for IDP livelihood assistance. In fact the National Enterprise Development Agency (NEDA) under my Ministry has also enlisted German government support through GIZ for SME entrepreneurs from this group.”
Minister Bathiudeen informed the visiting delegation that the members of Sri Lankan diaspora are also keen to return. “They want to invest here too” Minister said.
Responding to a query by Hon David Martin on Minister’s views on the EU’s GSP plus facility, Minister Bathiudeen said that resumption of EU’s GSP plus to Sri Lanka would greatly boost Sri Lanka’s resettlement and livelihood efforts. “It will certainly generate many more employment opportunities for North and Eastern regions as well” Minister stressed. . Sri Lanka also invites high level trade, business and industry delegations from European Union for “Sri Lanka Expo 2012”, the mega export show of international scale to be held in Sri Lanka after 15 years said , of Sri Lanka.