President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday kicked off the effort towards building a people-centric economy by harnessing local industries and entrepreneurs.
In what was his first engagement with the private sector post-appointment of new Cabinet Ministers and State Ministers, President Rajapaksa met industrialists and entrepreneurs from the batik, handloom and local textile and apparel sector.
At the outset, the President stated that the structures of the State Ministries were formulated with the intention of building a people-centric national economy, in which the people of Sri Lanka would be stakeholders. Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa, State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Treasury S.R. Attygalle, and several leading entrepreneurs related to batik, handlooms and local garments were present at the discussion.
The President explained the reasons for the formation of a State Ministry assigned with the task of overseeing batik, handlooms and local garments.
President Rajapaksa added that it was necessary to develop the local economy in order to move forward, until the rest of the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was pointed out that the exports of the apparel industry garner $ 5 billion in foreign exchange to the country and represents 43% out of the total earned foreign exchange. This is apart from generating thousands of employment opportunities and spurring regional development.
“It is one of the top priorities of the Government to strengthen the production of batik, handlooms and the local garments,” President Rajapaksa told the meeting.
He instructed the officials to implement a plan to develop the batik and handloom industry, covering all the aspects of it. President Rajapaksa added that with its success, the garment industrialists will be able to reach stability in the next 5 years.
The President also stated that State-owned outlets such as “Salu Sala” could also facilitate a market expansion for the local garment industry.
(FT)