Equipment for State institutions Govt. to buy only from local producers : Bandula

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The government has taken a policy decision to purchase furniture, electronic and electrical equipment, drapes, curtains and other goods for State institutions only from local producers in an effort to boost the local industry, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.  

He said this decision came in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restriction on the import of non-essential goods and added that the local companies which hoped to supply such goods should produce goods with at least a 50% local value addition and at least a 51% should be owned by Sri Lankan citizens.  Sri Lanka Information and Communication Technology Agency manufactures the specifications relevant to computer hardware required by State institutions and if any institution makes a local value addition of 25%, they are to provide a 30% selection at the procurement evaluation process.