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Friday, 22 October 2010 05:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Uditha Jayasinghe
Providing livelihoods for the internally displaced and implementing more infrastructure headed the Cabinet decisions this week with reactivation of the Atchuvely Industrial Estate, a US$ 500 million China funded road rehabilitation and an Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project bringing the total estimated investment to over US$ 665 million.
The three separate Cabinet papers were presented by their respective ministries but they all have one goal in mind insisted Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at the media briefing. The reactivation of the Atchuvely Industrial Estate in Jaffna with the assistance of an Indian Rupee 174 million grant is especially to be focused on providing livelihoods for the returned Internally Displaced People (IDPs).
The US$ 500 million facility will be given by the China Development Bank for road improvements of
1, 174 km around the country with US$ 200 million allocated for 2010 and the balance for next year.
The Korean International Cooperation Agency is providing US$ 5 million for community based organisations and development of infrastructure for agriculture, irrigation and livestock. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is funnelling US$ 7.7 million through their country project into seven programmes. It will be divided into two main categories aimed at sustainable livelihood and promotion of micro industries.
“The Atchuvely site that covers an extent of 65 acres belongs to the Industrial Development Board (IDB) and was established in 1971. It was earmarked to provide infrastructure facilities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and when it was closed supported 36 companies,” he said adding that many of them sustained severe damage due to the prolonged conflict.
Under the Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry this area will be developed with the assistance of the IDB and Board of Investment (BOI). The funding will be provided jointly through an Indian grant and Rs.25 million from the Sri Lankan government.
In addition, the ADB is providing a loan of US$ 150 million for an infrastructure and livelihood focused project titled Conflict Affected Region Emergency Project. This is expected to address the emergency needs of the Northern, Eastern and North Central Provinces.
The total project cost is estimated to be US$ 168.24 million, which includes ADB Credit Facilities for US$150 million and the Sri Lankan government financing US$ 18.24 million. This will include rehabilitation of 65km of national roads, 100km of roads in the three provinces and restoring power and improving power supply.
The loan will also be used to improve basic social services in these provinces and reconstruction of Court houses in the Northern Province. The consultancy for this project has been entrusted to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau.
