Investment Opportunities
The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka invites investments from agri-businesses and other companies, medium & small scale investors, and individuals to invest in Mahaweli areas.
Electricity, water, communication facilities, agricultural raw materials, lands, manpower, out-growers and other incentives are available
AVAILABLE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIESAgriculture
Processing/value adding/packaging/storing, seed production, vegetables cultivation, industrial crops, fruits cultivation, Cut flower Foliage plants, Cultivation of medicinal herbs and root crops cultivation.
Manufacturing - Agricultural tools, machinery….
Industry - Food and beverages industry, oil extraction, shoes, leather, furniture, wood, paper
Livestock - Cultivation of pasture , Fodder and reairing of cows, various types of poultry.
Fisheries - Inland fisheries and aquaculture, inland fish, ornamental fish, prawans, fish cultivation in ponds, shrimp cultivation.
Plantation - Citrus, orange, lemon, mandarin, cashew cultivations.
Forestry - Raton, bamboo, various wood and spices cultivations.
Mining business - Granite, limestone, phosphate, dolomite, pedophilic, quartz sand and marble. non metal mineral, basic mineral and materials from metal.
Leisure industries - Eco- Tourism, facility business like hotel, restaurant and tourism transportation also recreation places development.
Small scale investors who are particularly interested in agribusiness and light industries are welcome.
------------------------------------------------------------Background
The development of the natural and human resources of the Mahaweli River Basin has been a high priority of the Government of Sri Lanka since the late 1970’s. Largely completed are the construction of dams, irrigation and power systems, roads and other physical infrastructure, the settlement of the land and the formation of the agricultural production base. The challenge for the 2000’s is to build a diverse, dynamic economy generating higher incomes for Mahaweli families. In meeting this challenge, the private sector has a leading role to play.
------------------------------------------------------------Available facilities
The Mahaweli is a pioneering region where 200,000 hectares of land have been newly opened up. There are 130,000 farmer families settled in this area growing a variety of food and industrial crops. With modern irrigation facilities the Mahaweli has a year round cropping potential which gives the investor the advantage of being able to produce many crops in even off season.
Large extent of arable land for cultivating a wide variety of crops, irrigation water and up-to-date infrastructure such as electricity, telecommunication, roads, irrigation channels, banks, hospitals, schools and intelligent and highly trainable comparatively low cost workforce are available to investors.
Mahaweli region contributes about 25% of the national rice production and the yields in the Mahaweli areas exceeded the national average. The trends is towards diversification of agriculture crops to achieve high incomes. There is a vast potential for agricultural processing and packaging industries in the Mahaweli areas
In the developed townships land is available for the establishment of processing and manufacturing activities, both for agro-based and other manufacturing. Theses lands, approximately 135 hectares in extent are located in 9 townships (Thambuttegama, Kalawewa, Welikanda, Manampitiya, Aralaganwila, Dehiattakandiya, Girnadurukotte, Embilipitiya, Suriyawewa) which have ready access to modern infrastructure facilities. While part of such lands are already developed into industrial parks, and new industries the balance may be leased out to entrepreneurs to locate their business
Over 75 local and foreign companies, both as separate entities and joint ventures, are currently growing and processing high value horticultural and food crops in the Mahaweli for domestic and export markets. There are 542 small scale rice mills, 229 small scale light industries and 25 milk processing industries.
The MASL has taken initiative to development of manpower skills among second and third generations in Mahaweli areas through various training programmes. The youths in the area are now well equipped with technical knowledge, language, management and entrepreneurship.Participation of local contract growers could be obtained to produce designated crops for agribusiness investors establishing nucleus farms processing and export facilities. Lands, buildings and areas setout for industries are available for investment under long term lease.
The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka has initiated special programme to promote private investment and job creation in agribusiness manufacturing, processing, packing, seed production, livestock, tourism, minerals and other services.
The MASL welcomes the setting up of any manufacturing/processing/value adding activity whether it would be for local , local and export or wholly export markets in so far as the long term objectives and priorities of the Mahaweli Programme are satisfied.
------------------------------------------------------------Mahaweli priorities
Priorities will be given to the industries related to followings.
- Commercial scale agricultural production (including nucleus/out grower schemes) with priority on fruits and vegetables.
- Production of high quality seeds and planting materials
- Horticulture farming with modern farming techniques (drip irrigation, green houses, Polly-tunneling)
- Livestock development
- Cut-flowers, ornamental fish, prawns, inland fisheries and aquaculture
- Post harvest packing, processing, or storage of commercial agricultural crops being produced.
- Packaging, transport, and marketing activities that integrate to support the commercial agricultural ventures in the region.
- Off-farm activities in the manufacturing,
- Leisure Industries (projects for social, cultural and historical interest, eco-tourism, health resorts, ..).
- Mineral resource based industries
------------------------------------------------------------Our target group
Our target group is the entrepreneurs who can meet the demands and the challenges to provide.
1. An increased per capita income for farm families
2. Increased off-farm employment opportunities
3. Innovative management and business acumen
4. Acceleration in the rate of agro-technical change in the Mahaweli areas
5. Production of high quality seeds and planting material
------------------------------------------------------------Sectoral opportunities for investment
Mahaweli is endowed with every necessary ingredients for profitable investment in agriculture – fertile soil, tropical temperature, adequate rainfall and water supplies, varied agro-ecological conditions an abundance of productive labour. This gives Mahaweli a great potential for the growing of virtually any crop, including most exotic varieties, which would be readily marketable both locally and abroad. Further, it would constitute inputs for agro-industries such as vegetable and fruit processing and canning.
Agro-crops and horticultural farms could be profitably introduced in the Mahaweli system in many different agro-administrative structures or models. The most attractive and preferred of such models would be the nucleus farms structure having producer and grower units in a network supplying the produce to the nucleus farm for processing and thereby adding value to the final product.
------------------------------------------------------------Agricultural production already available for processing/value addition
- Paddy – 750,000 Metric Tones per annum
- 450,000 MT during February – April
- 300,000 MT during August – September- Chillies - 2,500 MT per annum
- 800 – 1,000 MT - March –April
- 1,000 - 1,500 MT - August – September- Maize - 7,500 MT per annum
- 4,000 – 5,000 MT - Feb – March
- 1,500 - 2,500 MT - June - July- Soya bean - 7,500 MT per annum
- 300 – 500 MT - March - April
- 5,000 - 6,500 MT - August – September- Banana - 8,000 – 15,000 MT - monthly
- Papaw - MT -
- Vegetables
------------------------------------------------------------Agribusiness – production and processing
a. Fruits
Banana, Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Passion fruit, Guava, Wood apple
Cashew
Citrus
Table grapes, Strawberriesb. Vegetables, condiments and food crops
Big Onions, Red Onions Red beans, Chillies, Tomatoes, Egg plant
Capsicum, Okra
Gherkins, Melons, Sweet corn
Coriander, Silver skin onions, Ginger, Taro
Maize
Sweet Potatoes
Vegetables for “ethnic markets”c. Industrial Crops
Soya bean, Cashew, Sunflower, Ramie, Jojoba
Lemon grass, Castor, Citronellad. Ayurvedic herbs
e. Foliage plants
------------------------------------------------------------Livestock, Dairy & Aquatics
The largest scope for development in the dairy sector within the Mahaweli areas is yet to be explored. The ongoing programmes of different types and levels of dairy industries in the country could be easily extended to Mahaweli areas. Possible activities in this section will be:
Cattle rearing for milk
Poultry for eggs and meat
Goats
Ornamental fish
Lobsters – both fresh and marine
Prawns – both fresh and marine
Ducks
Turkeys
------------------------------------------------------------Inland fisheries and aquaculture
The major reservoirs in the system provide vast potential for inland fisheries and aquaculture projects. Activities in the inland fishery area has been already begun with the establishment of fish breeding centers, and stocking of fingerlings in village tanks. The breeding of ornamental fish and also of prawns in ponds, cages and pens to cater to the domestic as well as export markets have good investment potential.
------------------------------------------------------------Seed Production
Quality seeds and planting material as well as the production of nursery stock.
------------------------------------------------------------Manufacturing
Significant opportunities exists in the development of light engineering products for agricultural use, as imports of farm equipment and implements are growing rapidly.
Agricultural implements and tools
Agricultural processing machinery
Agricultural tractors
Engineering installations for manufacturing and maintenance of tools,
Implements and agricultural vehicles
Processing units
Packaging units
Light engineering equipment
Other light industries
Handloom textiles
Rural industrial products
Handicraft items------------------------------------------------------------
Leisure industriesThe Mahaweli area with its rich cultural sites consisting of historical and religious properties, water masses and the five national parks providing habitat for variety of endemic species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and animals are opportunities to be exploited for investment in tourism and leisure related activities. The pleasant climatic condition together with the surrounding water masses are also found to be ideal for health resorts and homes.
A number of tourism sites are available for hotels and restaurants and the establishment of water sport centers.
------------------------------------------------------------Minerals
A preliminary survey ahs revealed the following minerals in substantial extractable quantities
Chertz and Agates
Red clay and mineral sands
Granite
Quartz
Feldspar
Serpentinite
Apatite------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial parks
To facilitate investors in establishing, manufacturing, processing and service activities, Mahaweli Authority has reserved an extent of 135 hectares of land in major townships, which are nerve centres of Mahaweli Special Areas. Industrial Areas in Thambuttegama, Girandurukotte and Dehiattakandiya townships have been developed into Industrial Parks with basic infrastructure facilities needed for establishing industries of any scale. Modern internal access roadways, storm water drainage, electricity, water supplies and security systems are already available.
To cater for the needs of the different categories of industries such as food processing, light engineering, concrete yards etc. These parks have been divided into zones. Lot sizes are flexible up to an extent of a few hectares each. Some of the industries already in operation in those parks include agro based industries, light engineering, agricultural implements, concrete products, garments, confectionery etc.
------------------------------------------------------------GiraduruKottte Industrial park
Location : Situated in the Girandurukotte township in the
Mahaweli System C.System “C” is a fact developing area situated along the right bank of the Mahaweli river with approximately 67,000 hectares of land. Two major townships Girandurukotte and dehiattakandiya house modern office blocks, shops, schools and medical centres.
Predominanrly an agricultural area, it’s major asset is a traditional farming community of 26,200 skilled growers., In partnership with private sector companies, these growers are producing a range of exotic fruits, vegetables and other food crops.
To integrate agriculture with industry two industrial centres – served with modern amenities for manufacturing and processing – have been constructed. New industrial plants are rapidly taking shape bringing new technologies and creating new jobs.
Mahaweli System C area can be conveniently approached along two trunk roads, the 210 Km route from Colombo through Polonnaruwa and rouge almost with same distance passing thorough Kandy.
GIRANDURUKOTTE TOWNSHIP is rapidly developing into modern commercial centre and enjoy modern facilities including telecommunication, postal, banking, educational and health.
INDUSTRIAL PARK, GIRANDURUKOTTE which has an extent of 7 hectares is located in the township of Dehiattakandiya is divided into zones to cater the needs of industries according to their nature and sizes.
INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABKE
1. Three phase electricity
2. Internal access roadways
3. Storm water drains
4. Water at site
5. Security fencing
POTENTIAL INVESTMENTSSystem C is a Predominantly an agricultural area and potential available for the agro based industries.
Easily triangle workforce with competitive labour rates make opportunities specially for labour intensive investments.
------------------------------------------------------------Thambuttegama Industrial park
Location : Thambuttegama township of System H.
System ‘H’ with modern internal road network is well connected with trunk routes to outside areas. The major roadways being the Anuradyapura – Puttlam – Colombo road . The road linking Nochchiyagama – Kekirawa towns called Jaya Mawatha which runs diagonally across system H places Thambuttegama strategically central to the system.
The township of Thambuttegama developed with the growth of Mahaweli activities and occupies a centralized location in System H it possesses the physical, administrative and service attributes of a planned township and derives its potential for the centralization of industrial activity both from its location and from its infrastructure; it has the advantage of a ready influx of raw material from within the system and the subsequent out flow of finished products into the system.
Industrial, park, Thambuttegama which has an extent of 18 hectares is located in the township of Thambuttegama along Thambuttegama – Galnewa road adjoining the Thambutegama Railway station. Industrial park is divided into zones to locate industries according to their nature and sizes.
INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABLE
1. Three phase electricity
2. Internal access roadways
3. Storm water drains
4. Water at site
5. Security fencingPOTENTIAL INVESTMENTS
Potential available for industrial projects based on the main resources in the area such as rice, chillie and other agricultural products.
Easily trainable workforce with competitive labour rates creates opportunities for labour intensive industrial investments such as garments, shoe manufacturing etc.
------------------------------------------------------------Dehiattakandiya Industrial park
Location : Situated in the Dehiattakandiya townships in the
Mahaweli System C.
SYSTEM ‘C’ is a fast developing area situated along the right bank of the Mahaweli river with approximately 67,000 hectares of land. Two major townships Girandurukotte and Dehiattakandiya house modern office blocks, schools and medical centres.Predominantly an agricultural area, it’s major asset is a traditional farming community of 26,000 growers. In partnership with private sector companies, these growers are producing a range of exotic fruits, vegetables and other food crops.
To integrate agriculture with industry two industrial centres – served with modern amenities for manufacturing and processing – have been constructed. New industrial plants are rapidly taking shape bringing new technologies and creating new jobs.
Mahaweli System c area can be conveniently approached along two trunk roads. The 210 Km route from Colombo through Polonnaruwa and route almost with same distance passing thorugh Kandy.
DEHIATTAKANDIYA TOWNSHIP is rapidly developing into modern commercial centre and enjoy modern facilities including telecommunication, postal, banking, educational and health.
INDUSTRIAL PARK, DEHIATTAKANDIYA which has an extent of 7 hectares is located in the township of Dehiattakandiya is divided into zones to cater the needs of industries according to their nature and sizes.
INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABLE
1. Three phase electricity
2. Internal access roadways
3. Storm water drains
4. Water at site
5. Security fencingPOTENTIAL INVESTMENTS
System C is a Predominarnly an agricultural area and potential available for the agro based industries.
Easily trainable workforce with competitive labourrates make opportunities specially for labour intensive investments.
Embilipitiya Industrial Park
------------------------------------------------------------Investment Incentives
Investment which meet the criteria are eligible for incentives from the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka ( Web site : www: boi.gov.lk)
SELECTION CRITERIAProposed investments related to above are judged against the following criteria :
• The investment is technically and financially viable.
• The investment entails extraordinary costs and risks for the pioneer investors
• The investment if successful will stimulate the entry of new entrants into a potentially profitable industry
• The investment will expand employment and income earning opportunities in the Mahaweli
• The investment is not environmentally harmfulHow to apply
Investors discuss their ideas and projects with Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka
And submit a project proposal to the Director General.
Further informationDirector General
Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka
No. 500, T.B.Jaya Mawatha
Colombo 10Tel. 011 - 2- 627491 – 5
Fax 011 - 2 -687391
e-mail: Mahaweli@eureka.lk
