Sri Lanka representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Dr. Rane Van Berkel said that the European Union (EU) has provided US$ 22.83 million and € 18.75 million to Sri Lanka for sustainable industrial development. He was participating in the joint steering committee meeting to implement the national plan of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization for the development of industries of Sri Lanka.
This joint steering committee meeting was held at the Industries Ministry under the chairmanship of Dr. René Van Burkel, Sri Lanka Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary of the Ministry.
US$ 22.83 million given to Sri Lanka by the European Union has been allocated for industrial development projects for eight years from 2015 to 2023. The money will be used to face climate changes, renewable energy, and energy efficiency solutions, for the industrial sector in Sri Lanka.
In addition to this, the European Union and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have given € 11 million for the development of agri-food products in Sri Lanka. Under this, many projects are implemented to increase food safety and quality, improve facilities for the same, train, create laboratory facilities for food quality control and develop food chains.
Another € 7.75 million have been allocated for industrial waste management activities in Sri Lanka and these waste management projects have been implemented by the Industries Ministry, Environment Ministry and Power and Energy Ministry. An energy management system has been prepared by 75 energy experts.
Under the leadership of Plantation and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, accelerating the economic growth through the development of the industrial sector, diversifying products, improving the contribution of the industrial sector to promote import substitution, increasing export revenues, managing energy and resources, increasing value chains, developing enterprise skills, and industrial infrastructure improvements are expected to be achieved through the implementation of the National Plan for the development of these industries.
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