March 2018 - FTZMA

FTZ manufacturers look for more conducive regulations

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.

FTZ Manufacturers look for more conducive regulations – 2018

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.