Factories under Gamata Karmanta program in outstations

By L.S.A. Wedaarachchi

One hundred and fifty industries have been set up outside Colombo and Gampaha Districts under the Gamata Karmanta program.

The investment on the projects is over Rs. 30 billion and over 30,000 job opportunities were cerated by the industries.

The local industrialists who set up their projects under the Gamata Karmanta program received tax exemption to import machinery and items.

Incentives and tax exemptions were previously given only to BOI projects.

Additional Secretary Ministry of Industrial Development R.V.D. Piyatileke said that most of the industries which commenced under the Gamata Karmanta program are based on local raw materials such as rubber, coconut, timber, coir and leather.

He said that the Ministry has given incentives and funds to the private sector to use advanced technology to develop local industries.

Five vehicle manufacturing project proposals are being discussed and they are under consideration. The incentives and tax exemptions given by the government for such projects are attractive and more industrial projects will be set up by local and foreign investors under the present industry friendly environment" he said.