The Government of Sri Lanka has entered into a grant agreement with the European Union, valued at EUR 8 million, to initiate a new project under the AgriGreen Initiative, focusing on Green Economic Growth through Sustainable Agriculture Practices.

The grant, provided by the European Union, will back a project collaboratively developed by the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, which acts as the lead ministry, along with the Rubber Development Department and the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, in partnership with the EU, as stated by the Ministry of Finance.

The initiative aims to support Sri Lanka’s shift towards green economic growth by ensuring sustainable consumption, production practices, and food security, as outlined by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Additionally, the project seeks to drive a transition to more sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural practices within selected value chains of the rubber sector, with a particular focus on youth and women.

The formal signing of the Grant Agreement was carried out by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, representing the Government of Sri Lanka, and Dr. Johann H. Hesse, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka, representing the EU.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development expressed heartfelt gratitude to the European Union for its significant support, emphasizing that the project is in close alignment with Sri Lanka’s sustainable development goals, which include market-oriented value addition and enhanced integration with export markets, according to the statement.

This agreement underscores the strong and enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and the EU, as noted by the Ministry of Finance. It represents a significant milestone in the joint commitment to green economic growth, sustainable consumption and production practices, and food security.