- Dep. HC Vinod Jacob notes import restrictions, capacity issues, non-availability of local resources
Deputy Indian High Commissioner (HC) to Sri Lanka, Vinod K. Jacob expressed confidence in jointly resolving concerns pertaining to matters impeding the progress of Indian projects in the country including their pace of execution, with Sri Lanka.
He noted this when he participated in the Coordination Forum of Development Partners of Sri Lanka, Chaired by State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe at the Treasury on Tuesday (4).
Elaborating on the challenges faced, Jacob said: “During the past few years, import restrictions and capacity issues have impacted the pace of execution. Further, on certain occasions, the lack of availability of local resources has been an impediment to progress. A unique characteristic of Indian projects is its reliance on Sri Lankan partners for the supply of locally available and environmentally sustainable materials. India remains confident of jointly resolving these concerns with the Sri Lankan side.”
The projects are selected in line with the priorities of Sri Lanka and pertain to socio-economic sectors like housing projects, the 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance service, the Kandyan Dancing Academy, the Unique Digital Identity, fishery harbours, hospitals, schools, and the like. The total development cooperation portfolio stands at $ 600 million and in the past eight years, more than 20 projects have been completed.
Source By themorning.lk
