Programs
Economic Growth
Partnership for Eastern Economic Revitalization (PEER)
An apparel worker practices her craft.
USAID/Sri Lanka has embarked on a new strategic direction for post-conflict stabilization in Eastern Sri Lanka. Partnerships for Eastern Economic Revitalization (PEER), a $6 million program will leverage an additional $6-12 million to create jobs and grow the regional economy for peace and prosperity. PEER activity focuses on public-private partnerships to foster innovation of the development of micro-enterprises, institutional capacity, and the diffusion of knowledge and information to support agricultural and rural development in Eastern Sri Lanka. So far, USAID/Sri Lanka's public private partnership pilot efforts have mitigated the risk of investing in the Eastern province and shown the private sector that business can operate profitably also in conflict-affected areas.
Building on the successful programs of the past, PEER seeks to expand economic activity in and around the conflict affected zones in Sri Lanka's Northern and Eastern provinces and in conflict-strategic areas on the border of the conflict such as Uva and North-Central Provinces. The program will use peace building, as well as economic growth strategies to address the most deleterious symptoms of the violence. The disparity in economic development between eastern Sri Lanka and the rest of the country has been a significant factor in the unrest among the three major communities living in the area.
To promote peace and equitable economic growth, USAID/Sri Lanka will create links between economic centers and target areas to build economic ties; improve competitiveness; and ensure benefits flow to traditionally disenfranchised groups in conflict-affected and strategic areas to create jobs for youth and other vulnerable groups.
PEER is geared to increase both farm-based and off-farm incomes by increasing productivity and enhancing value. The areas of focus will be efficient links to markets, innovative production mechanisms, training for the agriculture and fisheries sectors, financial services, workforce development, enterprise development and applied/adaptive research.
Recent public private partnership success stories:
Workers sort gherkins destined for fast-food restaurants around the world.
- Commercial agriculture partnership with Sri Lanka's Hayleys Group has linked farmers in conflict affected Eastern Sri Lanka to global agricultural supply chains, including such companies as McDonalds, Burger King, Unilever and Heinz, and increased farmer incomes by helping them switch from subsistence farming to in demand crops, such as gherkins, jalapeno peppers, and pineapples.
- IT partnership with Microsoft and local non-profit technology company, InfoShare, has developed ICT based curricula to serve Sri Lanka's key industrial sectors of agriculture, apparel, media and tourism, and will train at least 11,250 students through more than 40 training centers across Sri Lanka by February 2010.
- Credit guarantees for Lanka Orix Leasing Company (LOLC) will leverage $5 million in private finance to expand lending to entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka's conflict-affected Eastern Province.
- Partnership with Dialog Telekom, Qualcomm Wireless and Microsoft has
developed rural internet centers across Sri Lanka.
Students develop their skills through partnership programs that ensure a well-trained workforce is ready for the private secto
Regional programs:
Regional Energy Trade- India Sri Lanka Submarine Cable (2003-TBD)
As a part of USAID SARI/Energy's technical assistance activities a pre-feasibility study was carried out in 2002 to explore the concept of an Indo-Sri Lanka Power Transmission Grid Inter-connection. This was followed by further studies and formation of a steering committee jointly chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Power, India and Secretary Ministry of Power and Energy, Sri Lanka and a Technical Coordination Sub-Committee to provide political support and to work out technical, commercial, and legal and regulatory aspects of transmission and exchange of power between two countries. This inter-connection if successful, will contribute significantly towards easing Sri Lanka's energy crisis.
Clean Energy - Wind Power Development (2003-TBD)
By joining with the private sector, USAID has helped Sri Lanka develop wind energy technology.
One of the major accomplishments of USAID SARI/Energy in Sri Lanka is the private sector involvement in wind power development within the country. The Ceylon Electricity Board has signed Letters of Intent with four commercial developers to build 34 megawatts of wind power in the Island's west coast. This positive policy shift, with CEB strongly supporting wind power, was achieved as a result of a well planned series of USAID initiatives, including: developing wind Atlas for Sri Lanka; conducting technical studies and training CEB engineers on technical issues related to grid stability, developing confidence among the CEB planning and operations engineers and; a peer exchange program arranged to South Indian wind farms.
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