Several investors have expressed interest in coming to Hambantota to set up business and sought new opportunities in a bid to gain in from the development projects in the area.
Hambantota is today opening up and is now available to be showcased to the country and the world, Hambantota District Secretary R.M.D.B. Meegasmulla said at last weekend’s “Invest in Hambantota” – Investment Forum 2011 held at the Eva Lanka Hotel in Tangalle.
The high profile conference hosted by the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) was held in a bid to create more awareness of the growing opportunities in the region.
HDCC Director General Azmi Thassim reflected on the opportunities to be in the area of natural resources, tourism, strategic location and the availability of land.
Currently 44.4% involved in agriculture, 26.8% in industries and 28.8% in the services sector.
Today the South contributes 11% of the country’s GDP and is considered to have the second highest per capita income while other provinces are still picking up.
UDA Chairman Janaka Kurukulasuriya addressing investors referred to the road network saying its being converted to 2-4 lanes with space left for any future expansion upto six lanes.
Four main flyovers at the major junctions in the district will be constructed in a bid to avoid oncoming future traffic congestion.
This is noted to be the first time the UDA had demarcated sector based areas for the future development of industries, Mr. Kurukulasuriya said.
Among the banks that had expressed interest to set up branches are National Savings Bank, People’s Bank, Bank of Ceylon, Lankaputhra Development Bank and Sampath Bank.
Lands in the area will be given on a long term lease for businesses, it was stated.
He also noted that according to the plans large numbers of towers will not be allowed to come up in the region as it would go against the beautification of the area.
In this respect only one single tower will be constructed to cater to all requirements and another tower of 300 m with additional facilities similar to the Kuala Lumpur KLCC towers will be set up in Hambantota for the Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (TRC).
Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama observed that at the port they have dug upto 17 m depth and noted that very large ships will be impacted due to the rock still under excavation.
The costs for the first phase had increased with an additional US$90 million due to price escalation of raw materials such as rising steel prices and cement, SLPA chief said.
In the future, any vessel currently calling at the Colombo port will be able to call at the Hambantota port as well, he said.
An investment of US$600 million has been made with a further US$800 million invested for the second phase that has already commenced work.
One hundred hectares has been allocated for investors, which will be convenient for them as it will be a free port once clearance from the Customs Department is obtained and thereafter be gazetted.
With 14 Requests for Proposals (RFPs) accepted in the first round of selection of investors, a second advertisement is scheduled on a land area of 400 hectares with the aim of reaching US$5 billion by 2015.
The third advertisement for RFPs for ship building and repairs in a bid to become a service port will be made on a area of 48 hectares.
Dr. Wickrama noted, “this (revenue) will be enough to pay off our loans,” adding there will be no issue of repayment of loans and no assistance from the Treasury is obtained in this regard.
Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. Chairman Prasanna Wickramasuriya said the airport at Mattala needs to be made aware by courier services specifically as they would in the future play an important role at Hambantota.
He said they would invite them to come down to the district where land is also available at attractive rates.
With the establishment of a second airport it would serve as an alternative to the BIA while also catering to nearly 37% of the migrant workers from the South who can fly out directly to the Middle East from Hambantota.
The airlines need to fly to destinations and not countries, Mr. Wickramasuriya said adding that operations will commence next year.
| No rooms in Hambantota Inns? |
| Interestingly many were keen to find out why the Hambantota based investment forum was held at an unknown hotel in Tangalle. Several participants were discussing this to which one pointed out that the hosts had apparently been unable to find a hotel with a setting capacity of at least 100 in the district excepting this one! |
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