In an effort to promote green processes in its automotive sector, Sri Lanka has called the sector to switch its gears to UN Sustainable Development Goals 9 framework (SDG 9) introduced in Colombo last year. Meanwhile the Chinaโs famed low cost electric trishaw โXuZhou Furinkazanโ is unveiled in Sri Lanka for the first time on 2 August.
โAs the government focuses more on pro-green products, e-bikes and electric automotive could become the future of Sri Lankaโs transport due to its support for sustainable practices. We introduced the Sustainable Development Framework for industries called as SDG 9 framework to Sri Lanka in August 2017 with the support of UNโ said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 2 August in Colombo. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the launch of Sri Lankaโs first ever `Colombo Bike Show 2018โ and `Sri Lanka Auto Parts Expo 2018โ by CEMS Global in Colombo. The four day exhibition showcases automotive products from various well known (Yamaha, Honda, Enfield etc) and new global brands (Furinkazan from China Jiangsu). โAs the government focuses more on pro-green products, e-bikes and electric automotive could become the future of Sri Lankaโs transport due to its support on sustainable practices. As part of this broader vision, the Ministry of Industry is committed to the Sustainable Development Frameworkโ said Minister Bathiudeen and added: โThat is the reason that we introduced the Sustainable Development Framework for industries called as SDG 9.2 framework to Sri Lanka last year with the support of the UN. SDG 9 framework enhances support from UN for sustainable industry development, industrial waste management, and green industries. The good news is that automotive part makers and suppliers here today can make use of these SDG 9 guidelines and better target their production and markets through better infrastructure. I invite all the stakeholders to study SDG 9 framework and alsoย consider looking at other SDGs in their production work.โ
Minister Bathiudeen also highlighted of the steady growth of Sri Lankan vehicle population. โThis show comes in a background of Sri Lankaโs vehicle population increasing steadily. In 2013 a total of 5.2 million vehicles were in use in Sri Lanka. Last year this has increased to 7.2 million -a 38% increase in five yearsโ he added.
An interesting โfirstโ seen at the 2 August Motor expo was Chinaโs famed low cost electric trishaw โXuZhou Furinkazanโ on display in Colombo for the first time. Furinkazan CEO Rachel said that the unit price of an electric trishaw is US $ 530 (SL Rs 84,800-with electric battery, at US $ 1400-SL Rs 224,000).
The category of motor vehicle with the largest share in Sri Lankaโs vehicle population is the motorcycle. 56% of 7.2 Mn vehicle population in Sri Lanka in 2017 were motorcycles.
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress