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| Sunday, 18 May 2003 |
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CNCI calls for cold storage facilities at airport by INDUNIL THENUWARA The authorities should consider having cold storage facilities at the Bandaranaike International Airport to benefit local exporters as well as those from nearby countries who could make use of this facility, Deputy Chairman Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) A.K. Ratnarajah told a media conference held to announce the progress made by the Chamber's delegation to India. Bangalore has a lot of cut flower exporters dealing with countries in the European region, but there are no direct flights from Bangalore to these cities. The city's cut flower exporters have stressed to the CNCI delegates that it is easier for them to send their goods through Colombo than through Mumbai or Delhi. "If we provide cold storage facilities for them, they are prepared to send their goods through Colombo. Such measures could bring in a lot of revenue for us as well as helping our own exporters," Ratnarajah who led the delegation, said. The CNCI had discussions with India's Ministers of Small Scale Industries, Industries and Tourism and Information Technology; Mayor of Bangalore; and the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association during its visit, which was coordinated by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The need to increase flights between Colombo and Bangalore to all seven days of the week was also emphasised and the Indian ministers agreed to raise the matter with their government. The growth in tourist travel on business and holiday was also taken note of and the ministers agreed to encourage and assist tourism-based businesses in both countries. The delegates visited the IT Park where they were given a comprehensive presentation on its success. The climate of Bangalore which attracted professionals from other places, the availability of many private universities and colleges which provided IT graduates and the return of Indian IT personnel employed in the USA to their motherland were cited as reasons for the success of the industry in the country. India's IT Minister said he is prepared to help develop the industry in the island if Lankan authorities made such a request. Ratnarajah said: "We reminded Bangalore business people of the opportunities available in Sri Lanka with the Free Trade Agreement with India and the proposed agreements with USA, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt. The opportunities for them in the reconstruction and infrastructure sector were also highlighted". The CNCI outlined its Achievers Awards programme, which recognises achievers from the island as well as the SAARC region. A special award for the Karnataka Chamber was announced during the visit. An Indian business delegation will be in Colombo to coincide with the awards ceremony. |
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