SL to resolve dearth in manufacturing, says Health Minister
With an ambitious target of producing 80 per cent of medical products locally in the next five years, Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella showed optimism that Sri Lanka can resolve issues in manufacturing, unemployment and foreign exchange in the years to come.
While attending the opening of the UK based Flexicare manufacturing facility in Bandaragama on Wednesday, Mr. Rambukwella made these remarks.
He said, “We are looking at manufacturing all medical supplies locally. Our target is to produce more than 80 per cent of medical products in the next five years. With these kinds of initiatives we can resolve issues in manufacturing, unemployment and the foreign exchange crisis.” More foreign investments need to come into the country mainly in the medical sector, he added.
Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who attended the event as the Chief Guest stated, ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ products would make the country proud while adding that investments like this will create job opportunities for more than 2000 Sri Lankans in the next two years.
At the media briefing held last week at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, Board of Investment Chairman, Sanjaya Mohottale mentioned that the Flexicare facility in Bandaragama will be the first and large scale medical device manufacturing plant in the country. While adding that Sri Lanka has a target of doubling the GDP in the next 10 years, the country could become the manufacturing point for pharmaceuticals, he noted.
Flexicare Group, Managing Director, Hash Poormand stated, “The positive catalytic effect of Flexicare has already resulted in the employment of 150 Sri Lankans and is soon expected to grow into a workforce of 600 employees within the first phase of the project itself. Our commitment is to invest in the training and socio-economic development of Sri Lanka’s homegrown medical engineers, which we believe will have a tremendous ripple effect throughout the country.”
Flexicare’s facility in Bandaragama began construction in 2019 with an investment of US$ 15 million and is now fully operational with 90 per cent of the production intended for exports. The company is a privately owned leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of medical devices backed by over 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector, and has expanded its international reach to over 110 countries.
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