Sri Lanka and China have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop the former's rubber industry.
According to the Colombo Page, the MoU was inked by the Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute (RRI) and China's state-owned CETC International.
Secretary, Plantations industries Ministry, Dr. Damitha De Soysa and Chief Representative CETC International (Colombo Office) Cai Yang signed the MOU in the presence of Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.
The collaboration will include infrastructure development, including the setting up of a laboratory complex, upgrading of essential equipment and technical assistance.
The proposed laboratory complex will provide facilities to all stakeholders in the rubber sector including the SME sector, rubber product manufacturers including large-scale manufacturers, rubber-based trading companies, rubber importers, research and development personnel, university students and academia.
The MOU was signed in recognition of Sri Lanka's position as one of the world's largest natural rubber exporters.
The RRI was setup in 1909 to cater to the research and development aspects of the rubber industry. It was the world's first ever rubber research institute which made a major contribution to the advancement of global rubber industry.
