These facts also indicate that the income generating activities in the fisheries sector too could be developed substantially in the coastal areas with the provision of appropriate banking facilities, particularly for multi-day boats, fishing gear and other ancillary needs such as ice plants, and storage facilities.
Over the past several years, the Central Bank has also initiated several credit schemes applicable throughout the country, aimed at promoting regional development and poverty alleviation. In particular, work has commenced on a new Poverty Alleviation Micro Finance Project to cover conflict-affected districts. Approximately 3,000 beneficiary groups with more than 12,000 low-income families have already been organized within the Jaffna peninsula under this project.