May 11, Colombo: A new garment factory will be established under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's "Negenahira Navodaya" (Eastern Awakening) programme to develop the Eastern province.

The investing company, the Brandix Group, opted to set up this new project which was part of the BOI’s effort to attract much needed investment in the region.

The complex will be built at Rideetenna, Welikanda in of Pollonaruwa district by the Brandix Group, a leading manufacturer of garments and textiles in Sri Lanka.

The total investment of this project would be around Rs. 340 million and it will generate 455 direct employment opportunities at the initial stage. This will increase to 2,500 at capacity. The project will be set up on a 10 acre land mainly owned by the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka which was handed over to Brandix.

The Eastern Province needs investment to build up its local economy and to create new opportunities for the people living in the area.