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At the meeting it was divulged that during the 2002-2004 then government’s peace initiative catapulted development creating employment and increased quality of lifeMr. Ram Rajmohan on behalf of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL) highlighted that Trincomalee district must be industrialized within the next 2-3 years to which the Chief Minister totally agreed and directed his working staff to ensure support to achieve this objective with the support of the private sector. The Chamber Head identified the key focus areas that the government must invest its resources on, so that the enabling environment exists for the private sector to drive the growth in the Eastern Province through business development.

The areas mentioned by the business community were the improvement of internal roads, establishment of a commercial airport, the railway system needs to be modernized and Water must be provided for commercial purposes. The Chief Minister agreed that in the 2009 budget improvement of the roads will be the key priority. Separately, the Chief Minister agreed to help solve the access to credit of the Small and Medium sector businesses by requesting the Central Bank to set up Regional Development Banks where the interest rates will be at around twelve percent. The Chamber members commented that this is a very positive step.

The Director Economics of SCOPP mentioned that the best alternative will be the setting up of an Eastern Development Bank focused only on the business sector but with very clear collateral agreements to which the Chief Minister agreed to pursue.

The next issue highlighted was logistics issues faced in getting the sand requirement for the construction industry and the use of large trawlers for deep sea fishing. The Chief Minister commented that very soon these boats will be provided communication equipment so that in the event of a security issue contactability is possible but currently these boats can operate between 5 am and 6 pm. This was welcomed by the Chamber delegation. On the sand issue, the option of a common yard be set up under the Provincial Council was discussed and to be pursued. It was also agreed that Contractors in the Eastern Province to be given a priority for building projects in the Eastern Province. Mr. Soosinathian of FCCISL requested that for the development of the dairy industry easier access to gracing locations must be given.

The Director Economic Affairs of the Government Peace Secretariat Rohantha Athukorala highlighted to the Chamber Members(FCCISL) the other ongoing key projects that the government is implementing in the Eastern Province. Namely the construction of the outer Circular road in Trincomalee at a cost of Rs. 374 million, School Building projects for an investment of Rs. 59 million, Improvements in places of worship for a cost of Rs. 41 million in the Eastern Province while the private sector companies like CIC and Haleys making investments in agriculture for over 800 million rupees which will drive livelihood development.

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