The Board of Investment (BOI) is moving to fast-track the development of two new Export Processing Zones at Paranthan and Kankesanthurai (KKS) as part of efforts to attract investment and generate employment in the Northern Province.

According to a BOI statement, Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa and Director General Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena recently visited the Northern Province to assess investment opportunities and coordinate the development of the proposed zones with regional administrators and relevant state agencies.

At the proposed Paranthan Export Processing Zone, the BOI said land reservations will be opened to investors by the end of November 2026, while internal infrastructure development is scheduled to commence by early January 2027.

Discussions were held with officials including the Kilinochchi District Secretary, Paranthan Divisional Secretary and representatives of the Road Development Authority, Provincial Road Development Authority, Railway Department and Electricity Distribution Ltd.

The BOI also plans to host an investment promotion and familiarisation visit in November for leading investors and investor associations to showcase investment opportunities in the Northern Province, including the Paranthan and KKS industrial zones.

Meanwhile, during discussions at the Tellippalai Divisional Secretariat, relevant authorities agreed that internal infrastructure development at the KKS zone will also commence by early January 2027, placing both proposed zones on a similar development timeline.

The BOI said its leadership also met existing and prospective investors, who highlighted several obstacles affecting investment, including inconsistencies in land valuation and allocation, delays in approvals and clearances, and difficulties in coordinating with multiple government agencies.

In response, the BOI Chairman proposed establishing a Single-Point Coordination Mechanism to follow up on investor issues until they are resolved and expedite outstanding approvals and implementation processes.

Hulangamuwa and Jayawardena also briefed Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan on the BOI’s development initiatives and sought his support to establish a Single-Point Investor Facilitation Centre in the province.

The proposed centre would provide investors with a single point of contact when obtaining approvals and services from regional and national government institutions.

The BOI Chairman also proposed establishing a Regional Manpower Information Database/Data Centre containing information on the availability, qualifications and skills of workers in the Northern Province, enabling prospective investors to assess the region’s workforce.

During the visit, the BOI delegation also inspected sea cucumber and seaweed cultivation projects in Ariyalai, Jaffna, and held discussions with stakeholders on expanding the industries.

The BOI said these activities have potential to be developed into larger export-oriented enterprises capable of generating employment and income in the Northern Province.

The investment promotion agency said the combination of new industrial zones, streamlined investor facilitation, improved government coordination, workforce information and emerging export industries could help position the Northern Province as a new investment destination. (Newswire)

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