Sri Lanka signs agreements with Rabobank of the Netherlands to construct rural bridges
The government of Sri Lanka has entered in to two agreements with Rabobank of the Netherlands amounting to Rs. 14.1 billion (€ 70.7 million) for the construction of 200 bridges in rural areas and the establishment of a national vocational training institute in the country’s north central provincial district of Polonnaruwa.
The financing agreement was reportedly signed by Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga and Rabobank Director Han Bartelds in the presence of the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka, Tanja Gonggrijp at Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance.
According to reports, the Sri Lankan government has accorded great priority to connectivity improvement within the country with a view to providing the full benefits of mainstream development activities in the country to remote villages as well.
The ‘Construction of Rural Bridges’ project, which is aimed at connecting rural areas to more developed regions through the construction of bridges, was initiated by the government a few years ago, the local media has reported.
Accordingly, a large number of underdeveloped villages will be provided with transport facilities through this programme.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government has identified around 200 bridges to be constructed with the concessional financial assistance of the Netherlands as a part of the programme.
Also, the signing of an agreement to set up a vocational training institute is in line with the Sri Lankan government’s recognition that the provision of quality vocational education and training to the youth, in order to create productive employment opportunities, is essential for the social and economic development of the country.
OSL take:
The government of Sri Lanka is engaged in an aggressive development programme that covers all key economic sectors islandwide. Connectivity has been given priority by the government due to its importance in propelling the overall growth of the country’s economy. The agreement signed between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands has resulted in the availability of funds for the construction of rural bridges islandwide, which has opened up a business opportunity for foreign businesses interested in engaging with Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/21102019/Z_1 |