Sri Lanka should focus on developing the industrial sector in the North and East within the next two years, said National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka president Lal De Alwis,
The war crippled the economy in the once active industrial zones in those provinces. The number of such companies reduced to 32 from 754.
The government and the public institutions should assist the SMEs in areas recovering from the conflict to develop the national economy.
Unemployment is a radical issue in the provinces as their livelihoods are being driven to the edge.
The Netherlands donation of US$ 2 million to the national chamber has been distributed to develop the SME sector in those provinces and it has helped develop numbers of industries, he said.
The country now needs further assistance from developed nations for social upliftment in these provinces,
Currently, he said the tourism industry had taken a leading role in helping to boost the livelihoods of people in these zones.
Sri Lanka is at the early stages of an economic boom and it only can be strengthened further with proper development assistance being provided to the North and East, he said.
.jpg)
