In Katunayake there is only one Gate Pass office now onwards. There is no pass office at the main entrance and all visitors are required to obtain a centralized gate pass office at Gate #2 (Avariwatta entrance).
Further online systems in place to make your life easier. Please contact esteem organization for your passes.
GPV Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd won the TAIKI AKIMOTO 5S Gold Award 2019 under the large category presented by Japanese Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA).
What was in particular special about this achievement was that, GPV Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. won the Gold Award in the first attempt while competing against several other large-scale well reputable organisations in Sri Lanka.
GPV Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. is a subsidiary of GPV International A/S Denmark.
GPV was founded in Denmark in 1961 and is today one of Europe’s leading electronics manufacturers. GPV is a global EMS-partner providing complex electronics, cable-harness, mechatronics and box-build solutions including design and engineering activities to customers worldwide within high mix / low-medium volume. GPV generates a revenue at about USD 460 million with around 3,700 employees and has production sites across Europe, Asia and the Americas. GPV Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is in the industry in Sri Lanka for more than 30 years and today it has 1,022 employees including 45 electronic engineers with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
The company was recognized at the Sri Lanka Presidential Export Award consecutively for four years in 2015/16/17/18, under the electronic & electrical sector for highest foreign exchange earner.
The JASTECA upholds the benchmark of excellence for companies practicing Japanese productivity concepts such as the globally accepted 5S system for organising, promoting efficiency, effectiveness and safety.
The award ceremony was held for the 24th consecutive year at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Galadari on 22nd of August 2020 with a large gathering from representatives of all the award winners, JASTECA Members and the Chief Guest Mr.Toshihiro Kitamura, Minister Embassy of Japan Sri Lanka.
The largest international textiles sourcing show of South Asia Showcasing more than 250 textile suppliers from 15+ countries and regions Country Pavilions (Taiwan, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh and others) Leading Buyers from more than 20 countries attends for their sourcing requirements Buyer Delegations from South Asia, Middle-east and other international markets Fashion Fiesta: Networking Cocktail Reception and Fashion Show – unveiling contemporary textile designs and innovations in form of garments Interactive Business Forums and Trends Workshops Platinum Lounge for Buyers’ Meetings Complimentary Colombo City Tour (for overseas exhibitors an
The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) Executive Committee and members have extended good wishes to the new Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva.
Following is a statement issued by FTZMA Chairman Jatinder Biala and Secretary Dhammika Fernando.
The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association was founded in 1981 approximately three years after the first and so far the largest free trade zone established in Katunayake.
We are the sole trade chamber that represents more than 280 enterprises (FDIS) in all 13 BOI zones in the country. We address the common issues relating to the various aspects of business faced by the member enterprises by liaising with the BOI and other state agencies.
We further take due care of the well-being of our employees whilst sustaining the investors and ensure smooth operations of the enterprises in collaboration with the BOI. We have contributed immensely to promote foreign direct investments (FDI), provided employment and brought in the much-needed foreign earnings, which had contributed to the country’s GDP.
The Free Trade Manufacturers’ Association through its member enterprises, therefore, plays a pivotal role in the national economy and is shaping it up while providing direct and in-direct employment plus means of living for hundreds of thousands people in the vicinity.
We, therefore, are eagerly looking forward to your utmost support to strengthen well-disciplined and effective work practices at all government institutions, including the Labour Ministry, with progressive fiscal policies for the well-being of the employees working in our member enterprises in the free trade zones, islandwide.
The FTZMA is also an Employer Member of the National Labour Advisory Council since its inception.
We are confident that under your leadership, your ministry could contribute to the socioeconomic progress of Sri Lanka through the establishment of a decent work environment within secured industrial peace, while protecting labour rights in making Sri Lanka as a country with everlasting industrial peace for an internationally competitive economy.
Manufacturers are the backbone of the country’s economy. The government too has realized this by providing various incentives and introducing policies, said Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ (FTZMA) Association Chairman Fazal Abdeen addressing the 38th AGM in Seeduwa recently.
“However introducing policies alone is not sufficient. We also need consistency in terms of policies and regulations in order to plan ahead. we need to look at a longer term and a bigger picture always,” he said after being reappointed as FTZMA Chairman for 2018-2019.
He opined that Sri Lanka had the necessary resources and motivation to emerge as a strong competitor in the global apparel market. What the country needed was the decisive juncture in the gentle push from the government in the form of steady consistent policies that will serve to make the country appealing in the eyes of deserving investors.
“We hail the present regime for working to bring back the GSP Plus concessions which is sure to benefit the manufacturing and exports sectors of the country. While the government is working to make conditions conducive for manufacturers however we believe that it is equally important to ensure communal harmony among diverse religious and ethnic groups of Sri Lanka. We strongly believe that Sri Lanka will be able to reap the optimum benefits of the robust economic development only if we set aside differences and work on one common goal of being a developed nation in the near future,” he cautioned
The Chairman said since its inception the association had shrived hard to satisfy the needs of its members who have ably selected teams from time to time to manage the affairs of FTZMA.
Abdeen said the association fondly remembered the past and senior members who made invaluable sacrifices to put Sri Lanka on the map as a competitive manufacturer that is synonymous with quality, if not for their passion and vision coupled with and determination and dedication, the country’s economy would not be what it was today.
FTZMA also paid tribute to Neil Umagiliya, who has announced his retirement from the industry, for the yeoman contribution done to the industry.
The 37th Annual General Meeting of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) was held at the Grandeeza Hotel recently. ATG Ceylon Ltd. Director Fazal Abdeen was re-elected as the Chairman of the FTZMA.
Doing away with the SVAT (Simplified Value-Added Tax) system and replacing it with another system would be a major burden on the export sector, said the President, Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) and Director, ATG Ceylon, Fazal Abdeen.
Speaking at their 37th annual general meeting where Abdeen was re-elected, he said that under the proposed new system it takes a longer time to recall VAT and the additional paperwork is really discouraging.
“Due to this exporters face tremendous hardships and we have to keep aside around 16% of earnings with the Inland Revenue for almost four months.”
According to an official from the Finance Ministry they are yet to take a decision on the termination of SVAT. The move followed joint submissions made by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Joint Apparel Association Forum, Exporters Association of Sri Lanka, Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association, National Chamber of Exporters, National Chamber of Commerce and Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council.
However Abdeen said that fresh moves are being taken to re-implement a new system.
He also said that the zone has an acute employment shortage and youth do not like to work in the free trade zones. “The teledramas have demeaned the FTZ worker and they too are responsible for this.”
Meanwhile Secretary of the FTZMA Dhammika Fernando said that the high-tech waste, sludge, oil waste management and clearing and disposal is still a major issue at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone.
“There is a dumping yard but not for dumping high tech waste and this issue has to be addressed soon.”
For the first time the Free Trade Zone Manufactures’ Association, (FTZMA) Katunayake will build a hostel to house their employees.
Speaking to Daily News Business the new Chairman of the FTZMA, Fazal Abdeen said that this would help more employees to seek employment at the Katunayake zone.
“Lack of quality hostel facilities is one of the main reasons for job seekers to shun employment at the zone,” he said.
Some of the member organizations too have made proposals to them to build hostel facilities for the workers and the same was forwarded to BOI.
Chairman FTZMA also proposed BOI to uplift the quality of the BOI Bus Terminal.
It was also agreed to explore the possibility of putting up a E-hoarding at the bus terminal and to operate it by the Zone Management for zone enterprises to display their vacancy advertisements and to rent the rest of the advertising time to the service providers.
FTZMA made a proposal for a On Line Permit System and it was implemented in May 2015 by BOI successfully.
A additional gate at Phase-II was constructed as an emergency purpose gate on request of the FTZMA and the idea was mooted by the Chairman of FTZMA.
The BOI agrees to the view of FTZMA that the solution has to be a private public partnership to provide the necessary funding to the project.
In order to provide a hassle free commute for actual investors and their principal representatives FTZMA has proposed the issuance of 5-year residence visas to such CIPs. This is to be given on a selective and exclusive manner to prevent malpractices.
The matter was taken up at the One Stop Shop meeting conducted by economic advisor, P. Paskaralingam in collaboration with the BOI. It was principally agreed to provide the facility once the administrative mechanism is in place. BOI agreed to identify suitable BOI lands for this.
On request of member companies FTZMA requested BOI to prepare guidelines to KEPZ Enterprises regarding the usage of sound systems without disturbing the neighboring enterprises.
“On an idea mooted by my immediate predecessor Dhammika Fernando a couple of years back A day Care centre too was set up.”
FTZMA also held several meeting with line ministers to iron out several issues.
FTZMA as at 2015 have 57 members in total out of which, 44 are from different sectors of manufacturing and 13 apparel manufacturers.
