Two leading Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) manufactures are planning to establish assembling plants in Hambantota. The two companies from Korea and Europe have sought the Board of Investments approval to acquire lands near the Ruhunu Magampura Port for this project.

These companies are planning to assemble SUV’s in Hambantota and then export the vehicles to the South East Asian countries, taking advantage of the free port facility being offered by the Hambantota Port.

The two companies are planning to infuse a substantial amount of money for these two projects, and create a large number of employment opportunities for the youth in Hambantota. Some of the raw materials needed for their operations such as rubber bushes, rubber-based raw materials, tyres and fabric are also to be obtained from Sri Lanka.

Volkswagen too has already forwarded a proposal to assemble vans at the Ruhunu Magampura Port Investment Zone. They are planning to assemble vans with 8, 10 and 12 seat capacity mainly for the local market that has a good demand for such vehicles.

In the meantime, the Micro Car Company Associated Motorways also have shown their interest in setting up assembly plants in the area.