President makes case for limiting imports

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says the opportunity to commence production in many sectors by limiting of imports of non-essential items has begun.

The President said as pledged in his “Saubhagyaye Dekma” policy statement, the way forward is a people-centric production economy.

The Head of State said the current challenge before industrialists is to win over the domestic and global market. The President made these comments during a discussion with members of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Industrial and Enterprise Development at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. President Rajapaksa added several tasks are ahead to be performed by businessmen, claiming they include satisfying consumer needs, creation of new industries and introducing new technology to the country.

The President also emphasized the importance of maintaining the highest possible level of standards in every product manufactured and every service provided in the country.

President Rajapaksa noted the government apparatus is geared to assist the industrial sector, adding that ground work including the provision of loans at single digit interest rate has been laid.

President Rajapaksa also said he expects industrialists to show results by manufacturing an array of goods ranging from brooms to medicinal drugs domestically.

The President added it is not the government’s policy to encourage imports of agricultural products while giving encouraging farmers to grow locally.