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Work starts on Sri Lanka Rubber Masterplan

Work starts on Sri Lanka Rubber Masterplan

Work on the much awaited Sri Lanka Rubber Industry Masterplan has commenced in earnest with the Industry and Commerce Ministry implementing a major portion of projects outlined in it.

Meanwhile, an upbeat India says that an Indian team will be in town as early as next week to discuss none other than the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) mooted between the two South Asian neighbours, as announced on 05 July in Colombo.

“We are facing difficult times in rubber sector. Issues such as global market situation, supply side constraints, lack of technology to modernize the sector, and artificial rubber imports need to be resolved for the development of this sector” stressed Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen in Colombo today (05).

He was addressing the inaugural event of the third edition of Lanka Plast and Rubexpo at BMICH on 05 August.

The series has expanded from its original “two exhibition nature” to an event of four parallel exhibitions this year, with the introduction of packaging and manufacturing sector expos. Increasing numbers of plastic and rubber industry owners and CEOs are now attending this series. Exhibitors from India, China, Taiwan and Germany are taking part this year.

The Ministry will be an implementing partner of 12 projects out of the total 25 projects in Government’s Rubber Master Plan.

We start with information. Lack of information on Lankan rubber industry is a key issue in development efforts. Therefore the ministry is currently implementing a country-wide rubber manufacturing sector survey in this regard and expect to complete by the end of this year. Another project is addressing the shortage of rubber manufacturing skills. There is a growing problem of lack of skilled technology knowledge in our industry.

Realising the need to address this issue the Ministry, with Sri Lanka Plastic and Rubber Research Institute contacted an Indian university well known for plastic and rubber technologies.The Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala India known in South Asia for its plastic and rubber research positively responded to the request.

The Ministry is facilitating 25 Lankan rubber industry technicians to go to Kerala next month for training in latest rubber technologies. In another initiative to address rubber product manufacturing skills, the Ministry is also sponsoring another 25 students for the Graduateship Program of Plastic and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka, funding Rs 3.7 million.

Last modified on Monday, 08 August 2016 10:02

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