US Govt. support to economically develop North and East
Side by side with the South, Sri Lanka’s North is at full swing, poised to participate in the development effort in Sri Lanka, assured K. Poonachandran, past President, Yalpaanam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was speaking at the launch of the 7th Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) held this week in Colombo. JITF to be held from 29 to 31 January 2016 at the Municipal Grounds in Jaffna has become a common platform for networking and expanding investments, business ideas, existing businesses and sharing knowledge.
This trade fair that emerged after the conflict, features the construction industry, hospitality industry, food beverage and packing industry, automobile industry, ICT industry, financial services, apparel, agricultural, consumer goods and many others which will be on show during the three days.
Mr. Poonachandran said that the whole country is in line for a new era of industrial development with the new government, and this time Jaffna would be a full partner in this development effort. “This island is having green light for development and in fact the new government is accelerating all industrial development all over Sri Lanka and Jaffna is part of it,” he added.
He said that the North and the East is moving towards industrial development in the area with a huge US Government grant and to involve those agents of the international suppliers of industrial machinery and equipment and the contractors to construct factory buildings.
“This time we are going to put up at least 20 factories and there are many more in the pipeline,” noted Mr. Poornachandran. He said that Jaffna is ready to be part of the massive industrial development strategy and the infrastructure – good road network, railway, air travel and hotel accommodation – are all in place.