Addressing the Media Professor G.L Peiris said that there are two objectives of the EDB. One is to increase the foreign exchange earnings to the country which is obviously of great significance at this time he said. But we are not satisfied simply with enhancing the volume of foreign exchange that we earn. There is another objective which is equally important. As far as we are concerned that is to ensure that the benefits from the expansion on the export sector are not confined to Colombo and the adjacent regions but these benefits percolate down to the grass routes level and are enjoyed in an equitable manner through out the country. So there is a special emphasis on the remoter parts of the country where the per capita income is lower than in the district of Colombo, this is the programme that we have put in place said the Minister. He further said that "We have been developing export promotion villages in different parts of the country depending on the activities that are suitable for that area. One of the main objectives that we are trying to achieve is to establish a direct relationship between the producers of commodities and the export companies. Because we have often found that the people work hard, they are dedicated, but they unfortunately do not derive the full benefit for their labour. That is because the series of middle men are involved. One of the challenges the EDB is facing right now is to create this contractual relationship between the producer and the exporting companies. That is the main thrust of this initiative on the 13th and 14th of December. We will be carrying out a major project that will involve several districts of the country Galle, Matara,Hambanthota,Monaragala and Rathanapura. We intend to start this in the south and to take it to other parts of the country in due course the second of which will be in Polonnaruwa and the 3rd in Badulla said the Minister.