Prime Minister outlines Sri Lanka’s next generation economic reforms
The new government will go ahead with next generation economic reforms with the aim of becoming the most competitive economy in South Asian and South East Asian regions, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the 65th anniversary ceremony of Associated Motorways Ltd in Colombo, this week.
Addressing top business leaders, automobile industry heads, politicians including several ministers, diplomats and officials at a glittering ceremony at the Cinnamon Grand hotel, the premier noted that private sector leaders should take the lead in making new economic reforms a reality without seeking favours of the government.
He pointed out that the Government would use Singapore as a benchmark when introducing the next generation economic reforms with a high rate of growth for the next 20 years.
Noting that the present regime was a “Caretaker Government” entrusted with the task of implementing a 100-days programme, he said that a more comprehensive and ambitious programme will be implemented to double the people’s income and create one million jobs after the next parliamentary election.
Outlining the new Government’s upcoming economic initiatives planned for the next 5 to 10 years of political and social harmony, he noted that efforts will be made to regain the EU GSP + next year, and enter into a more favourable trade and investment agreement with India, greater trade access to the US as well as an FTA with China and Singapore.
Sri Lanka should move towards automation, using technology and become skill intensive by making use of an educated workforce that can be trained and the large disciplined contingent in the armed forces, the Prime Minister said adding that high-end value added manufacturing is to be promoted under the next generation economic reforms.