Trincomalee Port in the former war-torn eastern region is calling for proposals for investment next month – with an eye on hotels.
This comes in the wake of the government approving four investors worth US$700 million in the first batch of the first Request for Proposals (RFP) for Hambantota; while also awaiting Cabinet approval for the second batch of six RFPs that was called in Auust 2010. The investors at Hambantota are involved in the establishment of a chemical processing factory, sugar refinery, cement grinding and fertilizer plant - Thatta Cement from Pakistan.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama told the Business Times that the first RFP would take place in November for the Trincomalee port without targeting any container handling.
He noted that they intend giving out land to investors interested in constructing hotels in the area. In addition an industrial zone will be established under the Industrial Ministry on a 50-acre land area for the construction of factories within the port premises and a few investors from the local industry.
The port has already received requests for activities to commence and the SLPA is also promoting it for investments towards establishing an oil refinery, drilling and ship repair.
Bids in this respect, will be carried out on a small scale with the port also being used for passenger handling and other port related industries, Dr. Wickrama said.
He also said that currently, the Oluvil and Kankasanthurai ports were under construction with the latter gaining support from India as well.
In the future, SLPA intends to attract investors to these ports as well, Dr. Wickrama noted. |
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