The Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) is to mobilize private sector assistance in implementing a special private-public partnership programme towards an economic resurgence and development in the district.

Speaking to Sunday Times FT, HDCC Director-General Azmi Thassim said that they will seek the assistance of Manchester Solutions of the UK and some other international non-governmental organizations (INGO) to initiate this programme.

He added that the chamber is supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, US-based INGO Mercy Corps and Manchester Solutions to continue its services to the business community in Hambantota but now it is exploring the possibility of becoming a self sustaining organisation without depending on outside help.
The chamber supported by Mercy Corps is promoting tourism in the district with the Yala and Bundala national parks as a major component of their strategy under its economic development programme.
The chamber has taken measures to bring together the local business community and stakeholders in the tourism industry to promote Hambantota as a key tourist destination.

Mr. Thassim also told a press conference in Colombo that the development of the new Hambantota port would help in the economic resurgence of the Matara, Ratnapura and Moneragala districts and part of the Eastern Province and when completed it will directly provide 6000 new jobs and 50,000 to 100,000 indirect employment.

He noted that a large number of these jobs were for skilled workers who were less in numbers in this area.