Tag: economy

The trade deficit widened during the first four months of this year as the import bill galloped ahead of total exports, the Central Bank said Tuesday.The bank said the deficit from January to April rose to US$ 566 mn, from US$ 503 mn during the same quarter last year.rn rnDespite a yawning deficit, the Central […]

International donors pledged over US$ 4 bn by way of aid at the Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka, which opened on Monday morning.Japan, Sri Lankas largest donor opened the floor by pledging a US$ 1 bn to rebuild the economy.rn rnAsian Development Banks President, Tadao Chino offered another US$ 1 bn […]

Donors are expected to offer substantial support at a key aid meeting in Japan despite a lukewarm response from the LTTE. The donor conference in Tokyo will look at the aid requirement for the whole country with most of the monies offered to projects and programs in South of the country.rn rnThe government is expecting […]

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) is moving into Jaffna, rolling out plans to develop urban centres in key Northern towns.ldblquote We are giving priority to urban centres in the North, especially Jaffna, Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Valachennai, Chavakachcheri and Kilinochchi as well dblquote , says Director General of the UDA, K Dharmasiri.rn rnThe UDA has already had […]

Traditionally, most of Sri Lanka quote s mega construction projects have been awarded to foreign contractors. But local construction companies say its time the scales are balanced.Mega projects are often those that are foreign funded and value wise, is huge, with an average Rs. 20 bn worth of work in this sector each year.rn rnIt […]

A top state official is calling the government to break away from being over dependant on aid agencies. BOI Chairman Arjunna Mahendran pointed out that governments are over dependant on aid and donor assistance from agencies such as the IMF and the World Bank that state agenda is rerouted to facilitate them.rn rnldblquote I feel […]

A pilot project to mine Sri Lanka’s seabed off the Western coast for offshore sand to sustain a flagging construction industry, has gone up for Treasury approval.Spearheaded by the Coast Conservation Department of the Fisheries Ministry, the initial project cost to the tune of US$ 5 mn, is to be funded by the Dutch Government.rn […]

The Urban Development Authoritys (UDA) call to develop five of its properties in the Colombo District, received 140 proposals when the tender closed on Monday. The UDA however has put off the deadline to June 19 to accommodate more interested investors.rn rnUDA officials told Lanka Business Online that the 140 proposals came from 45 firms, […]

Promoting home ownership and job creation, the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) is rolling out a campaign to disseminate construction skills to individuals.Initially to be tested on a plantation housing project, the campaign will then help construct 300,000 estate homes under the Plantation Housing Programme before being rolled out islandwide.rn rnThe ldblquote Homes For All […]

rnrnrnrnrnrnThe rural and informal private sector should step up their investmentsrnand business initiativesrnrnrnrnrnTotal investment inrn2002 dropped 0.7 per cent to 21.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ofrnwhich private investments accounted for 16.7 per cent of GDP a 0.5 per cent risernover the previous year.rn The Central Banksrnsay investments was far below the investment […]

rnrnrnrnrnrnApril 2003rnrnrnrnrn Inflationrnrate measured on a 12-months moving average remained static at 9.9 percent inrnApril, from the previous month, the Census and Statistics Dept said onrnWednesday. rn “Onernof the governments major objectives now is to reduce inflation over thernmedium term and reduce inflationary expectations,” Central BanksrnGovernor, A S Jayawardene told reporters on Wednesday.rn ButrnJayawardene said […]

The Asian Development Bank plans to raise its annual contributions to Sri Lanka to about US$ 250 mn and is also keen the government steps up its aid disbursement ratio.The regional development banks assistance to Sri Lanka averages at around US0 mn a year.But in 2002, the banks lending programmed topped US$ 240 mn, with […]