BOI invests Rs. 763 Mn in Horana EPZ

The newfound government is accelerating its efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the country by providing much-needed infrastructure to existing and new investors.

The Horana Economic Processing Zone (HEPZ) is a center of attraction due to its location. One key feature of the BOI zones is the provision of services that enable investors to operate their businesses smoothly, and investors always prefer the “turn-key nature” of these facilities.

The constituency of the Horana EPZ consists of more manufacturing-led investors, and the wastewater treatment plant (CWWTP) is an integral part of the operation. Most importantly, the Horona EPZ’s long-term viability and compliance with the ESG framework of the organization make it even better at meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 15).

Hence, it was identified by the BOI that the capacity of the existing Common Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWWTP) needs to increase its capacity, which is used for the treatment of wastewater discharges from industries at HEPZ, and therefore, augmentation of CWWTP up to a capacity of 3000 m³ per day is essential to cater to the present influent volume of 1750 m³/day and forecasted additional volume of wastewater generated from the expansion of the existing projects and new projects to be established in vacant lands while uplifting the environmental sustainability of the zone and mitigating the health issues. The BOI Capital Budget lists this project as a priority activity to reduce any possible environmental impacts and meet the CEA’s requirements for getting an Environmental Protection License (EPL) for the HEPZ.

The bids were invited through the National Competitive Bidding process, which had eleven (11) bidders that submitted the bids, and only four (04) applicants were eligible for the detailed evaluation.

Hence, the Cabinet of Ministers by decision dated 05/06/2023 has granted approval for the proposed Augmentation of the Common Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWWTP) at HEPZ, utilizing BOI funds, and granted approval to award the contract to Luminex PLC, New Galle Road, Moratuwa.

Source: Daily News