BOI & FTZMA begin construction of Children’s Day Care & Learning Centre

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), in collaboration with Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA), initiated the construction of the new day care and learning centre dedicated to the children of employees at Katunayake Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), this month. 

The landmark foundation-laying ceremony for the project was held on April 10 at Phase II of KEPZ. 

The initiative, fully funded as a multi-million personal donation by Fazal Abdeen - Managing Director of ATG Group of Companies, marks a significant step in advancing zone employee welfare, while reinforcing BOI and the private sector’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable industrial growth.

 The groundbreaking ceremony was graced by Renuka M. Weerakone - Director General Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Lawrance Madapatha - Executive Director (Zones) of BOI, Ranjan Sibera - Director (Katunayake Zone) at BOI, Dhammika Fernando - Chairman of FTZMA, Fazal Abdeen - Managing Director of the ATG Group of Companies, and Jamaal Abdeen - Project Manager of the ATG Group of Companies.

‍The event also featured a symbolic sapling planting ceremony in line with ATG’s One Million Trees initiative, currently underway across the country.

The new centre will be built at a more accessible and prominent location near the entrance to Phase II of KEPZ, offering improved facilities and accessibility for parents and children alike. Currently accommodating over 50 children, the centre has become an essential service within KEPZ, which is home to 85 enterprises and more than 34,000 employees – 70 percent of whom are women.

The initiative was originally launched in 2015 by BOI and the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) to support female factory workers, many of whom migrate from rural areas, with a secure and stimulating environment for their young children during working hours.

While the current facility has served its purpose well for nearly a decade, the growing need for a modern, well-equipped space led to the development of a new plan.  Fazal Abdeen generously stepped forward to fund and facilitate the new centre’s construction. The project is set to be completed by October 2025.

This new chapter in the Day Care Center’s story not only improves the overall quality of life for BOI factory employees and their families but also reinforces the long-standing partnership between BOI and leading investors in the Manufacturers’ Association and the employees of the Free Trade Zone companies, who value community development amidst Sri Lanka’s determination to achieve economic growth. It also highlights the collective progress in human-centred development within the country’s export processing zones.