A pre-budget discussion with representatives of the pharmaceutical, veterinary medicine, Ayurvedic and cosmetic manufacturing sectors was held yesterday morning (18) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando.

During the discussion, industry representatives expressed their full support for the government’s economic development programme led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Challenges currently faced by the pharmaceutical, veterinary medicine, Ayurvedic and cosmetic manufacturing sectors were discussed in detail and several constructive proposals for the upcoming budget were presented.

Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando assured that all these proposals will be given due consideration in preparing the next budget and noted that, if necessary, new laws will be introduced to ensure the production of quality, standardized products.

The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Chairman of the Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe, officials from the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the pharmaceutical, veterinary, Ayurvedic and cosmetic manufacturing sectors.