BOI facilitates round-the-clock service for exporters

At a ceremony held on 30 March at its Head Office, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka extended its Green Channel facility to an additional 24 enterprises. A total number of 108 enterprises have been awarded Green Channel facility since 2006.
Green Channel is a facility given to BOI export-oriented companies, based on their excellent performances and compliance to BOI regulations. With the Green Channel facility BOI enterprises are granted special facilities such as priority in documentation and also exemption from examination of selected cargo.
In 2014 a total number of 24 Green Channel facility holders were selected after thorough evaluation by a committee, comprising of representatives from six departments of BOI and they examined key areas such as domestic value addition, accurate documentation, obtaining the environment protection license, payment of EPF and ETF on time, payment of BOI dues, employees welfare facilities, industrial peace, health and safety, etc.
Each applicant was assessed according to the qualifying criteria’s and compliances. After selection of qualified enterprises, a list of the same was sent to Sri Lanka Customs Department for their observations. The final list of the Green Channel holders was confirmed with the observation of the Sri Lanka Customs.
BOI Chairman Upul Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka Customs Director General Jagath P. Wijeweera, Shipper’s Council Chairman Sean Van Dort and JAFF Logistics Committee Chairman Rohan Maskorala participated at the award ceremony, in addition to senior BOI officials and representatives from the BOI enterprises.
BOI Director Investor Services Mahinda Ramanayake delivered the welcome address and stated that the BOI had aligned with Sri Lanka Customs to provide ‘round-the-clock’ service to facilitate BOI enterprises in three main service centres at the BOI office at Katunayake Air Cargo Terminal, Export Processing Zone in Katunayake and Central Verification Terminal at Orugodawatta.
Jayasuriya and Wijeweera formally presented the Green Channel certificates to the investors.
Speaking at the gathering, Jayasuriya said that he in favour of paperless operations by introducing advanced Information Technology into the work process. He further added that the paperless operations contributed to the reduction of irregular payments and malpractices which exist.
Wijeweera said that Sri Lanka Customs was working very closely with the BOI and advised the enterprises to maintain their performances in complying with necessary rules and regulations in order to maintain goodwill with the authorities.
Van Dort and Maskorala also commended the efficient service provided by the BOI to improve the productivity of import and export trade in Sri Lanka.