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Boosting the rural economy along with infrastructure development, this year’s priorities – State Minister Nimal Lanza

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Nimal Lanza, State Minister for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure said that the government has taken steps to implement a number of development projects this year, giving priority to the development of the rural economy and rural infrastructure development.

Nimal Lanza expressed these views while participating in a discussion on road development in the Colombo District at the ministry.

Speaking further he said,

‘In the past year, the protection of the people of the country from the Covids had been given priority and no further emphasis was given to development activities. However, a number of programs have been launched this year to promote rural infrastructure and the rural economy on the support of the public following the health care practices and vaccination program. Among them are expressway projects led by the Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando, rural bridge projects, 100,000 km development program, Ape Kade Ape Kade program and several other programs including providing concrete or interlocking for a Divisional Secretariat.

‘We are talking only about the programs implemented by the ministry of Highways and the State Ministry of Rural Roads and Infrastructure. Thus, all Ministries have implemented a number of programs to develop the infrastructure and uplift the rural economy to benefit the 22 million people.

‘We are implementing these development programs in the face of the Covid 19 challenge. In the face of this challenge, the government has taken steps to prioritize development programs this year while protecting the people of the country.

‘President Mahinda Rajapaksa handed over a country that had economic and national security second only to China among South Asian countries to good governance in 2015, and in 2019 good governance handed over a country with an economy similar to that of Afghanistan and national security to zero. In such a situation President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has, reaffirmed national security.’

The minister further stated that the present government has taken steps to overcome the economic challenges by realizing the “vision of prosperity”.

State Minister of Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion , Susil Premajayantha and a group of Colombo Municipal Councilors were also present on the occasion.



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National Trade Facilitation Committee Secretariat to be established

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The NTFC review meeting in progress

In an effort to accelerate trade facilitation commitments and bolster the business landscape in Sri Lanka, a high-level review of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) was conducted at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (7).

The review focused on assessing the progress of trade facilitation commitments and scrutinizing the performance of the NTFC Secretariat. The private sector also voiced their views on expediting actions to ensure the completion of measures ahead of the projected timeline of 2025-2030.

In order to streamline compliance and optimize performance, several directives were issued during the meeting. Firstly, it was decided to establish the NTFC Secretariat under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. Secondly, immediate measures to be taken to address the staffing requirements of the Secretariat and lastly, the budget allocated for the NTFC Secretariat in 2023, currently under the Department of Customs, was to be transferred to the Ministry of Finance to prioritize pending actions such as the development of the NTFC website and progress reporting system.

During the meeting, deliberations took place concerning the proposed National Single Window, a system aimed at simplifying and expediting trade processes. The participants agreed to expedite the submission of the proposal in a sequential manner to ensure its swift implementation.

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PM discusses ADB future projects in Sri Lanka with ADB DG and new Country Director

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Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama and newly appointed Country Director Takafumi Kadono held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Thursday (June 8) at the Temple Trees in Colombo.

The Prime Minister, while welcoming the new Director General thanked the outgoing DG, Chen Chen for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the height of Covid pandemic and the economic crisis. He thanked the ADB for extending short term, immediate contingency support which has helped Sri Lankan economy to recover from the unprecedented crisis within a short period of time. ADB loan funds amounting to USD 380 mn were targeted for enhancing fiscal space and efficient public financial management system as well as strengthening the SME sector with access to finance. Further USD 250 mn was obtained as budgetary support to develop Capital Market.

The Prime Minister made a special mention about ADB’s US$ 333 million emergency assistance to support import of essential items such as fertilizer, medicines and chemicals for water treatment, working capital support to SMEs, and cash transfer to most poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of economic crisis.

ADB Director General for South Asia Keinichi Yokohoma, praised the recovery made by Sri Lankan economy and briefed the Prime Minister about the ADB’s mid-term and long-term projects for economic progress and infrastructure development.

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ADB provides Sri Lanka access to concessional financing to facilitate sustained and inclusive recovery

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Kenichi Yokoyama, Director General of ADB's South Asia Department

Low interest -rate financing broadens country’s options to bridge urgent development financing needs

ADB support now comes in concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the eligibility of Sri Lanka to access concessional financing. The availability of concessional assistance, offered at low interest rates, broadens Sri Lanka’s options to bridge its urgent development financing needs to restore economic stability and deliver essential services, particularly to the poor and vulnerable.

Eligibility for concessional resources among the developing member countries of ADB is based on gross national income per capita and creditworthiness. ADB’s decision was considered based on a request from the Government of Sri Lanka in view of the severe and unprecedented economic crisis that has reversed hard-won development gains.

“ADB is committed to further enhancing its support for the people of Sri Lanka as the country responds to this deep crisis that has severely undermined their livelihoods and well-being,” said ADB Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama. “The availability of concessional assistance will help Sri Lanka to lay the foundation for economic recovery and sustained, inclusive growth.”

Sri Lanka is now eligible for ADB support including concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions that together comprise a comprehensive suite of options to address the crisis. Access to concessional financing will also ease debt servicing pressures through more favorable lending terms.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

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