Sri Lankan government moves to create ‘footwear village’
The Sri Lankan government has unveiled plans for a ‘footwear village’, on 50 acres of land in the district of Pitipana.
Minister of Rural Economy Bandula Gunawardane said there were such a large number of footwear manufacturers scattered across surrounding areas such as Homagama, Maharagama, Kesbewa and Piliyandala that a dedicated production area was now required. While most of the 100 or so businesses that will take up residence in the village are component and accessory suppliers, others are footwear manufacturers in their own right, serving the domestic market. Minister Gunawardane said that by bringing footwear-related producers closer together, the village could be expected to generate new opportunities for employment.
