BMC looking at direct import of construction material

In a bid to reduce the burden on high raw material costs for the construction sector and kick start the industry the Building Materials Corporation is looking at direct import construction materials.

Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga instructed the BMC and the Ministry secretary to explore this possibility and present a report to this which then can be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval.

The Minister after a discussion with the Condominium Owners Association at his ministry in Battaramulla said that by allowing the import of construction materials through Building Materials Corporation the government would be able to provide materials at a very low price and secondly it will also give an opening for the BMC to earn an additional income.

Chairman of the Condominium Management Authority, Sarana Karunaratne pointed out that though the US dollar has come down by a huge margin, importers are not giving that benefit to the construction sector.

“Prices of construction materials including iron, cement and other materials still remain at the same price.”

In addition to imported construction materials, domestic construction materials are also priced at a higher price and this has caused a major setback to the industry and nearly one million direct and indirect job opportunities have been lost.

Minister Ranatunga said that if the crisis in the construction industry continues it may even cause a severe impact on the development of the port city development as well. He also said a focus and long term development plan and policies should be prepared for the sector. The entire construction industry of the country collapsed due to the spread of the Coronavirus.

“But at present, the activities of the construction sites in this country are gradually recovering and the government is working to restore the sector.”