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| Sunday, 03 August 2003 |
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Kalutara Chamber works towards economic resurgence The Kalutara District Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KDCCI) has created a mini-industrial revolution in the district by launching a massive industrial project in keeping with the 'Yali Pubudamu Sri Lanka' (Regaining Sri Lanka) concept, introduced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Amal Fernando, President KDCCI said the help of small, medium and large-scale industrialists is necessary to uplift Kalutara's trading and industrial sector by bringing them all under one umbrella. Thereafter, they could develop their industries and solve the unemployment problem in the district. The KDCCI has already started business awareness programmes on productivity, employee relations, safety and occupational health and import-export documentation, conducted by a faculty comprising graduates and professionals, Director General Kamal Gamage said. Fernando said a socio-economic survey has been arranged in all Grama Seva Niladhari Divisions in the district to gather information to upgrade the living conditions of the people and to help small and middle-scale entrepreneurs, business institutions and entrepreneurs in the hotel and travel trade. Several qualified university graduates have already been deployed to carry out the survey under the supervision of a few university academics and market-oriented business development experts. After the survey is completed, the academics and business development experts will go through the data and statistics and prepare the feasibility report for KDCCI's consideration. According to these recommendations, a Kalutara District Business Development Master Plan will be prepared for the next 10 years. "There are more than 5,000 entrepreneurs and industrialists in Kalutara. Many of them are doing well, but some are suffering due to environment problems. Some businesses need financial assistance; some need technology assistance and proper management advice. My prime motive is to help them upgrade their industries," Fernando said. The Government, Provincial Council and local authorities have also extended their support towards these programmes. The Chamber is planning to help farmers in the area by organising seminars and training programmes in collaboration with government agencies, to help improve their knowledge on cultivation techniques.The coconut toddy and vinegar industry, tourism, fibre and wooden boat manufacturing and fishing, gems and jewellery, traditional handicrafts, batik and textile printing are some of the prominent industries in the area and the Chamber is willing to help these industrialists and traders by giving financial assistance and finding new export markets, he added. "Our primary aim is to establish a large-scale international level permanent exhibition and sales centre in the area. It will most probably be established near Bolgoda Lake, Panadura. We are seeking foreign investors for this venture which will cater to genuine industrialists, craft producers, and local and foreign business partners and tourists," he said. Gamage, who is also a Council Member of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, said the Chamber plans to put up export villages in all Divisional Secretariats. This will help micro-industrialists and handicraft makers in the region. A separate unit will be established in the Chamber headquarters to attend to this sector, he said. Dairy farming can be started as a home industry at grass root level. The Chamber has already negotiated with S.B. Dissanayake, Minister of Agriculture Development, Livestock and Samurdhi to start this project. Land Minister Dr Rajitha Senarathna is also making arrangements to start a special project on export-oriented dairy products with the help of the West Australian Chamber of Commerce. The Directors of KDCCI are Amal Fernando (President), Markey Mahboub, Dayananda Salwatura and Kapila De Silva (all Vice Presidents), Kamal Gamage (Director General), Sarath Kahapalaarachchi (Secretary) and K.H. Amaradasa (Chief Executive Officer). |
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