COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Prabhash Subasinghe, managing director of specialty tire maker Global Rubber Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. (GRI), has been appointed to a Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation by Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
According to GRI, the task force was created to establish a new economic agenda for Sri Lanka to promote exports in all sectors amid the global economic slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
GRI said the Sri Lanka government intends to create balanced social and economic development in the country, aligned with expectations by the United Nations, including environmental conservation, renewable energy and toxin-free food production, as well as the need to minimize poverty.
GRI said the tast force will focus on a "unique economic framework with a novel approach," focusing attention to the economic and social challenges and opportunities facing Sri Lanka and the world during the pandemic.
"I accepted the role of Chairman, Export Development Board of Sri Lanka in January with great enthusiasm to drive our country's export industry to the next level," Mr. Subasinghe said. "It is with the same level of patriotism and passion that I accept my appointment to this special Presidential Task Force."
The task force will identify "economically favorable opportunities that have emerged in global economic trends and formulate mechanisms to promote value added export products ranks as one of the most important focus areas for the country," GRI said.
Mr. Subasinghe said he envisions being a catalyst for the next generation of growth, while working toward new heights in the rubber and seafood industry in Sri Lanka.