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| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Lease of life for shoe industry by Chanuka Mannapperuma The government has launched a new program to give a new lease of life to the shoe industry in the Vadiri, Karaveddi areas in the North, which was once a thriving industry largely contributed to the rural economy. This follows government plans to boost traditional industries with a view to upgrade the rural economy. This program is being implemented under the 1000 industrial village project 'Guru peheyen ran Peheyata' launched by the Small and Rural Industries Ministry, by providing latest technology. Under this program, the Vadiri, Karaveddi villages which was famous for its shoe manufacture, have been identified to be upgraded. "Necessary infrastructure facilities and incentives will be provided", a Ministry spokesman said. "Located in the Northern province, nearly 100 families in the two villages are engaged in shoe manufacturing industry." There are villages that have started shoe manufacture as far back as 1914", he further said. He explained that at the time there had been a shoe manufacturing co-operative society in the area. "There was a good market for these products islandwide but now it has been confined only to Vavuniya and Jaffna, he added.The Ministry aims to infuse new technology into this industry to make it as vibrant and economically strong. this new technical expertise is being provided by the Ceylon Technical Board. The Ministry also conducted a special technical session recently for 60 manufacturers to get a wider knowledge about the industry. Spokesman added the Ministry is planning to create a stable international market for these shoe manufacturers." The objective of this program is to create more job opportunities and to provide them good profits as well." |
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