Govt. never in favour of agreements detrimental to local industrialists: Kabir Hashim

All assistance will be extended to prospective entrepreneurs to start enterprises utilising their talents, potential and skills in their areas, said Minster of Highways and Road Development Kabir Hashim when addressing a meeting held at People’s Bank, Kegalle, to introduce the Enterprise Sri Lanka development loan scheme.

He went on to highlight that a sum of Rs. 200 million has already been allocated to each electorate in respect of the Gamperaliya rural development project introduced by the Government recently.

According to a survey conducted by Central Bank last year, it was revealed that over 25% of the unemployed youths are willing to start their own self-employed projects if they are adequately supported by loans granted to start projects.

These youths are not demanding government jobs, and the Government has now come to their rescue.

Under the Gamperaliya project, all State banks will have a special counter to assist borrowers who seek soft loans to start their self-employed projects, the Minister explained.

If every person with potential succeeds in his venture, 10 members of his family will stand to gain. Therefore, prospective entrepreneurs should be assisted and encouraged. The officer who is at the Gamperaliya bank counter, therefore, has a very important role to play when assisting and encouraging those who seek loans to start self-employment projects, the Minister pinpointed.

He added that small and medium scale enterprises, which employ over 45% of the employees in the country, contribute 52% to the GDP.

Kegalle Regional Secretary Sheyamalee Piyatissa, Mawanella Local Council Chairman Anura Chandana, Former P.C. member Upul Shayamal Bandara, UC member Ishara Harischandra, People’s Bank, Kegalle, Provincial Manager Gamini Karunaratne, and a large number of businessmen and customers of the Bank attended the meeting.