Plantation Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that with the aim of imparting knowledge to schoolchildren about starting and running a business, entrepreneurship circles are expected to be started in 5,000 schools.
He said that this programme is now being implemented in 300 schools. Dr. Pathirana said this while attending the opening ceremony of the Central Provincial Industry The exhibition which will be held from October 6-8 at the Bogambara Old Prison Premises, Kandy under the guidance of the Industries Ministry. He also emphasized that school business circles are expected to expand the knowledge level of school children in a number of areas including starting and running a business as well as financial frugality and using new technology.
The minister also said that a system has been prepared to direct the quality products of those involved in these exhibitions as well as other businessmen to the foreign market. He said further that a group of officials from Economic Development Board participated recently at an exhibition held in Moscow, Russia taking with them some selected items and that such goods will be exhibited at the industrial conference and exhibition to be held in Cairo, Egypt in December. He also said that while exhibiting goods produced in this country at international exhibitions in this manner, the background required to access the markets of India and Africa will also be prepared.
Dr. Pathirana who said that the entrepreneurs of this country were very vary and inconvenienced due to the economic deviation as well as during the situation of the Corona crisis, also mentioned that there is a matter that one can be sad and happy about in this regard and during that period, a majority of manufacturers committed themselves to protecting their businesses as well as to stabilising the country’s economy.
As a result, they were able to earn USD 13.1 Bn last year as the highest export income in history and the minister said that their commitment should be appreciated at a time when there was no electricity, oil, gas or raw materials. The Minister said that during the period of two years, when import restrictions were in place, the entrepreneurs and industrial development section of this country had developed and that the Industries Ministry of has classified entrepreneurs under 20 categories and is constantly working with them.
Minister Pathirana who said that a majority from among them have provided their contribution successfully to the field of production and the motor vehicles accessories manufacturing industry section has taken a huge leap forward, emphasized that car seats, tyres, rims and sensor as well as a number of other items are being produced in this country and exported as well. He said further that the businessmen in this country have received the ability to join main motor vehicle brands of the world by manufacturing gear boxes and motor vehicle engines.
According to the minister, it was possible to earn a sum of US$ 450 million through exporting electronic devices. Minister Pathirana also said that many people do not know that Sri Lanka has become a hub of hard tyre production.
Asela Kuruluwansa