Sri Lanka’s Koggala EPZ earns USD122 Mn in 2017

Mar 14, 2018 (LBO) - The Board of Investment's (BoI) Koggala Export Processing Zone (KgEPZ) contributed US 122 million dollars worth of exports earnings in 2017, emerging as a major economic centre in the South and an important contributor to the economy. The working population in the zone currently stands at 14,070 of which 80 percent are women, the BoI said issuing a statement. The Koggala EPZ has been declared a bonded area for hub operations benefiting from access to the Southern Expressway and it is only 1½ hours away from the Hambantota Sea Port making it attractive to investors who may access markets by shipping from Hambantota. The advantages of the Zone for enterprises are the security, lighting, excellent communication as well as power supply and the availability of ground water. In addition there is a centralized administrative complex linked to the relevant departments of the BOI as well as other important facilities such as customs, banking,postal, medical and port cargo handling services. Currently 23 enterprises are located at the Zone,and the main sectors represented the manufacture of garments, plastic figures and footwear, aircraft repair and boatbuilding. KgEPZ is located in the Habaraduwa Divisional Secretariat of Galle District, in the Southern province of Sri Lanka. The zone covers a total extent is of 227 acres, of which 195 acres are dedicated to industrial use and came into operation in 1991.