Seeking approval for a building in Colombo could take anything between three months to three years, a Colombo builder says.
Priyantha Perera, Chairman, National Construction Association of Sri Lanka, responding to questions during a news conference on the Construct 2010 Exhibition that will be held on August 13 to 15 at the BMICH, said approvals are (often) delayed at the Colmbo Municipal Council than at other authorities like the Urban Development Authority.
A similar concern was expressed recently by Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal. Addressing the Sunday Times Business Club monthly meeting in May, he said there are a lot of inefficiencies when it comes to starting and maintaining businesses in securing permits and getting water and electricity connections. In the construction industry for example, there are about 22 required procedures from when a project is started to its completion which takes about 214 days. Mr. Cabraal said the government is trying to simplify those procedures to put the onus on the agencies to respond to the applicants.
At this week’s briefing to reporters, Mr Perera said that they preferred a procedure where all approvals could be obtained in three months and are having discussions with the government on these issues. He said that the tempo of the construction industry is progressing and things would be better in 2011, though construction contractors still find it difficult to compete with the foreign contractors especially in mega projects.
He said that they do not need foreign contractors for certain projects but they are placed at a very difficult situation as they are unable to compete with even the Chinese contractors.
Priyal Wijayagunawardena, Chairman Construct 2010 Organizing Committee said that there will be more than 260 stalls and expected increased participation from Singapore, India and Pakistan. |
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