Development of Sri Lanka’s largest Export Processing Zone (EPZ) located in Bingiriya will commence this week under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The Bingiriya EPZ is expected to stimulate the national economy by facilitating foreign investment, exports and job opportunities.

Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara said: “Among the industrial factories set up, there would be heavy and light engineering industries, IT and related industries, vehicle spare parts factories, vehicle assembling factories, external services institutes, garment and food processing industries.”

Project development of the total 1,200 acre zone has been planned in three stages for the next eight to 12 years and aims to provide 75,000 direct factory employment opportunities upon completion.

Related road network development and a water supply scheme have also been accounted for in the plan.