BOI’S Polgahawela EPZ accounts for US $ 77.4mn export revenue in 2017

The Board of Investment’s (BOI) Polgahawela Export Processing Zone (PEPZ), a very significant zone in the Kurunegala District, saw export revenue rising to 77.4 million in 2017, from US $ 73.3 million in 2016.

The PEPZ was established in 2000 on a land area of 65 acres of which, 39.65 acres are industrial land. There are 7.60 acres of vacant land on four vacant plots.

The zone is 77 km away from Colombo and 75 km away from the Katunayake international airport.

The infrastructure facilities at the zone include water, processing of waste water and electricity, making it attractive to investors.

The zone’s enterprises have a significant impact on the local economy as they provide employment to 4,200 staff. The zone therefore promotes the government’s objective to develop regional industrialization.

There are currently five enterprises in commercial operations at the Polgahawela zone, including three engaged in the manufacture of apparel, one automobile assembly plant and one manufacturing PVC base materials.

One of the enterprises at the Polgahawela EPZ is Micro Cars Limited, which was established in 1995 by Dr. Lawrence Perera. The company engineered and built Sri Lanka’s first homegrown automobile, resulting in the launch of the ‘Privilege’, which was completely designed and made in Sri Lanka. Micro Cars assembles a full range of vehicles ranging from compact cars, vans to SUVS, buses and prime movers. Micro has ventured into overseas markets and has exported vehicles in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The main exporting enterprises are Alpha Apparel Ltd, Cosmic Poly Plast (Pvt.) Ltd, Marsylka Manufacturing Lanka (Pvt.) and Sumithra Garmets (Pvt.) Ltd.