JICA supports awareness-creation workshop on business opportunities in Eastern Province

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), together with the National Planning Department and the Eastern Provincial Council will conduct a workshop today, 29 October 2010, in Batticaloa for civil contractors registered with the Eastern Provincial Council.

 The objective of the workshop is to promote participation of local enterprises in local development. The workshop will create awareness primarily on business opportunities in JICA-supported rural roads and water supply development projects in the Eastern Province. It will also provide guidance to participants on procurement procedures, quality assurance, environmental and safety requirements and on the ICTAD (Institute for Construction Training and Development) registration process. In addition, it will give an opportunity for the participants to link with relevant initiatives of other development partners, useful for their capacity development.

"This workshop, we hope, will not only provide local contractors with information on business opportunities but also familiarise them with procurement procedures and ethical practices, thus enabling them to contribute effectively towards local development in a mutually beneficial manner," said Akira Shimura, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka.

The workshop will be attended by key officials from the Eastern Provincial Council and the National Planning Department who, together with JICA, will conduct sessions on project requirements and procurement processes.

Development partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank will present information on potential business opportunities under projects supported by them while the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will facilitate sessions on skill development initiatives useful for local enterprises. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the executing agency of Japan’s Bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA). JICA, the world’s biggest bilateral aid agency, works in over 150 countries and regions. In accordance with its vision of "inclusive and Dynamic Development," JICA supports the resolution of development issues in developing countries. In Sri Lanka, Japan has been providing financial and technical assistance since 1954 and is the biggest donor to the country. On behalf of the people and the Government of Japan, JICA contributes to improve lives of the people in Sri Lanka.