Free access for markets:

Businessmen hail opening of A-9 road

Anuradha KODAGODA

The local business community said that the A9 road has opened many business opportunities and this will contribute to the country’s economic development.

“With the dawn of peace in the country and the opening of the A9 road there is free access for markets in these areas. There is an economic crisis around the globe. However, with these new markets opening the business community will get an opportunity to stabilize their business in these areas,” said President, National Chamber of Commerce, Lal De Alwis.

“This would have a positive effect on the economic stability in the country. Many foreign investors are seeking opportunities to invest in these areas under the BOI. We have already started a project under the Business Promotion Fund (Netherlands) in Batticaloa to develop small and medium businesses. We are planning to expand this project in the Eastern province as well in the near future to improve business in the small and medium business sector in this area”.

“Therefore, we hope that the positive approach will help stabilize the economy for a better future,” he said.

“In this positive scenario the main advantage is that people in the Eastern province will get an opportunity to purchase goods at a reasonable price. The business community will also get the opportunity to reach this market segment without any hassle and expand business in these areas. This would be a major advantage for farmers in these areas since they can send their goods without any difficulties to the city and negotiate for a reasonable price,” said President, Federation of Chamber of Commerce, Kosala Wickramanayake.

“Many investors are willing to invest in these areas and it will create more job opportunities for the youth in the Eastern province”.

“We are planning to organize many vocational training programs for the younger generation in these areas to help them to choose the most suitable professional path to develop their career”.

“We are working very closely with the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jaffna Women’s Chamber to provide the guidance and also to improve their capacity,” he said.

“Jaffna is well known for mangoes, onions, sweet potatoes, seafood and other vegetables and fruits. The opening of the A9 road has opened a huge potential for markets which were closed during the past three decades in the country due to the ongoing war situation.

There are many opportunities for food producers where they can re-start their business agencies to buy and sell in these areas,” said President, Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association (SLFPA), Dhammika Gunasekara.

“With the dawn of peace the tourist industry will also get a boost where people can visit the Northern and Eastern provinces. Apart from the local tourists there is a huge market potential for foreign tourists as well since there are fascinating beaches in the northern area,” he added.

“The Northern Province has Nellie and Palmyrah products and the Elephant Pass area has salt products as well”.