An accelerated programme has been launched to upgrade infrastructure facilities of Free Trade Zones and Export Processing Zones, Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Services Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.
This is under the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” (Saubhagyaye Dakma) policy statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The Board of Investment (BOI) has established 15 Free Trade Zones across the country. The Katunayake Free Trade Zone, established in 1978 is the oldest of them.There are 137,478 workers in the KTZ with 81 factories. The Biyagama Free Trade Zone established in 1985 has 55 factories and employs 28,588. There are 19 factories in the Koggala Free Trade Zone and employs 14,689. The government is planning to set up a new free trade zone in Eravur. The government provides the necessary infrastructure and steps have been taken to obtain the Environmental Assessment Reports EIA. Minister Ranatunga said 200 acres has already been identified for this purpose.
The government is also concerned on improving water and other facilities in the Free Trade Zones. Ranatunga states that the relevant arrangements have already been made and the authorities have been asked to submit a report to the Ministry in that connection.
Already Rs.540 million has been allocated for the development of drinking water facilities in the Seethawakapura Free Trade Zone.
There are 24 factories in that and 22,534 persons are employed there.Ranatunga said that special attention has been paid to resolve issues in the Bingiriya and Wagawatta industrial zones.
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