Exports, manufacturing to play a lead role

November 22, 2024

political Current Affairs

Exports, manufacturing to play a lead role - Rishad

September 10, 2015

Sri Lanka is mulling a bigger role for private sector in the planned industry and commerce reforms-and Lankans of all hues are rallying round the leaders of the new consensual government., I look forward to an increased role and support of the Lankan business, exports and investment communities in our next stage of industry and commerce development. As we enter a new era of social unity, Sri Lankans of all hues are rallying round the joint and consensual efforts of both leaders said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on Sept.09.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the large crowds present to witness his assumption of duties as the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka for the third consecutive time on 09 September at the Ministry premises in Colombo.

Many reps from business, industry and investment communities of Sri Lanka, political figures, clergy from all major religions as well as Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim political supporters from the Vanni District were present on the occasion.

“With the formation of the consensual government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Hon Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, we are witnessing meaningful democracy in action in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans are rallying round the joint and consensual efforts of both leaders. There are no more serious threats to our civil liberties as it were, and we thank both the President and Prime Minister for their courageous leadership in the January 8 revolution” said Minister Bathiudeen and added: ‘As a new entrant to the lower middle income ranks Sri Lanka’s next stage of economic development as envisioned by the new government is based on the social market economic model. Under the social market economic model the government’s vision is to develop the economy through an ambitious five pillar concept and exports development. In fact exports and manufacturing are to play the lead role in our country’s rise within the middle income ranks. We want to enlist the private sector more and more, and I look forward to an increased role and support of the Lankan business, exports and investment communities in our next stage of industry and commerce development.”

Since taking over of Industry and Commerce in 2011 for the first time, Minister Bathiudeen has been in the forefront in representing Sri Lanka in several global, multilateral and regional fora. Among the many notable achievements was Minister Bathiudeen’s taking over of the Chairmanship of the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Ministerial Council in August 2013. Minister Bathiudeen was also listed among the 500 most influential Muslim leaders in the 2013/14 Muslim500 global ranking. He was the fourth Sri Lankan to enter this ranking since 2010.