Chinese enterprise lays foundation for rural revitalization project in Sri Lanka's Hambantota

A cornerstone laying ceremony for a rural revitalization project initiated by a Chinese company was held in Kenda Village, about 50 kilometers away from Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port on May 27, 2022.

Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, Liu Enhuai, chief representative of China Merchants Group in Sri Lanka and CEO of Hambantota International Port Group, and hundreds of local villagers attended the meeting. Qi Zhenhong said in his speech that China empathizes with the current difficulties and challenges faced by Sri Lanka and will continue to support Sri Lanka to overcome the difficulties within its power. China is also willing to carry out exchanges and cooperation with grass-roots organizations in Sri Lanka such as Kenda Village to share poverty alleviation experience and bring more sense of fulfillment and happiness to Sri Lankan people.

Liu Enhuai said that this project in Kenda is the second rural revitalization project carried out by China Merchants Group in Sri Lanka. It will provide training for local villagers in the industrial chain of production, processing and sales, and truly achieve the goal of "teaching people to fish". The project will create nearly 800 jobs for the local area, improve the living standards of villagers, and create a happy and harmonious new village.

There are more than 2,000 people in Kenda Village. Most of the villagers rely on traditional agriculture for a living, with low and unstable income. According to the project plan, Chinese enterprises will build a series of facilities for Kenda Village, such as community activity center, medical and health center, crop cultivation base and poultry breeding base.