Financial Times

FCCISL amazed at building material constraints
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL) said last week, that it was appalled over the delay in vital building construction material reaching Jaffna.

Nawaz Rajabdeen, FCCISL President, visiting Jaffna to open a new office of the Yarlpanam Chamber of Commerce (YCC), said he was shocked to learn from local contractors the difficulty of obtaining raw material. “What is the use of development if basic raw material is not allowed,” he said, after being told that Ministry of Defence permission is required for the transport of these items.

Rajabdeen and FCCISL Secretary-General Samantha Abeywickreme, during their one-day trip, met representatives of other chambers and also organised a discussion between YCC President S. Ruthiralingam and Netherlands Ambassador Reynout van Dijk who was on a separate visit to the region.

Local traders said they have appealed to the Defence Ministry and the Peace Secretariat to relax the restrictions on building material without success.
Rajabdeen said he was surprised at the post-tsunami recovery phase in Jaffna where most of the affected families have returned to their homes and livelihoods thanks to financial support from NGOs and relatives living abroad.

The FCCISL is providing a lot of financial support to several chambers including the YCC in its Back-to-Business programme which covers both tsunami-affected industries and those affected by the 20-year old war.

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