|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 28 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
UPFA economic policies are clear CCC(IS) Chairman by Shirajiv Sirimane UPFA Government's economic policies are now clear to the public and the business community is satisfied with them and confident to continue further investment, said Chairman of the Import Sector of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Suraj Fernando at the 69th Annual General Meeting held last Friday in Colombo. Earlier, the general public and the business community in particular had mixed feelings about the newly-formed Freedom Alliance government and their economic policies. However everybody is now confident and satisfied with the UPFA economic policy, Fernando said. He said that they had a close dialogue with the leaders and emerging leaders on the run up to the general elections who all assured business as usual. "This has been reassured now," he said. He said that there were many who questioned the role of a Marxist party on open economy in democratic country. "We have had series of discussions with JVP propaganda secretary Wimal Weerawansa who assured us there would be no import restrictions," he said. He said that Indian public had given a clear indication that the governments should listen to farmers and not world economists. He said that economists predict that annual economic growth may improve to at least 6 percent by the end of the year. This growth is projected in all three sectors, agriculture, services and the industry. "We strongly believe that the new government's mandate would provide for the realisation of this economic growth," he said. The international economic environment expected to improve during this year and would help towards the local economic growth. "As far a imports are concerned, a faster growth rate is expected, reflecting increasing demand for international and capital goods," he said. He said that a 9 percent import growth has been recorded to the value of US $ 6,672 million at the end of last year. This reflects an economic recovery and the reduction of the import surcharge from 40 percent to 20. The demand for intermediate goods increased due to the recovery in exports and domestic market oriented industry activity. The demand for investment and non-food consumer goods increased reflecting improved investor and consumer confidence. The import volume index increased by 11% while the Unit price index declined by 2 percent during the year 2003. Minister of ports, Aviation and Media Mangala Samaraweera said that for the first time the ports and airports had been brought under one ministry for enhance and expedient trade. "We want to make Sri Lanka the preferred air and sea hub for the region. The government has given a priority for the development of Ports all over the country," he said. The development of the Hambantota harbour had only been a slogan of successive governments and we will change it and it would be developed as a bunkering facility. He also said that the both the Ports and airports would be equipped with the modern information technology systems. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
