Economic Dev. Ministry to fast track regional development initiatives

The Economic Dev. Ministry is to fast track regional development initiatives, Government sources said.

The Ministry has obtained Cabinet approval to fast track the implementation of these projects within a short period.

Accordingly Cabinet approval has been granted to call for limited quotations from the listed state sector construction agencies to fast track regional projects and programmes without calling for public tenders which is a cumbersome and time consuming process, the Government Information Department said.

They said the Ministry of Economic Development was handling multi pronged development projects in all parts of the country. Among them were activities with regard to tourism development that had taken centre stage as over 10,000 hectares of lands have been earmarked for tourism development in the resort areas.

The Ministry of Economic Development also implements programmes to support economic growth of regions, while ensuring equitable resource mobilisation to minimise regional disparities.

As at present it handles projects with regard to construction of Stalls for displaced pavement hawkers in Pettah and Nugegoda, construction of Multi-storied Car Park at National Zoological Gardens Dehiwala and the reconstruction of the Galle Bus Stand.