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EDB Blog

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Coconut Fiber Geo-Logs and Geotextiles in Environment Conservation

2017-01-17

Coconut Fiber Geo-Logs and Geotextiles in Environment Conservation

With the annual economic losses due to deforestation and land degradation estimated at a 1.5 – 3.4 trillion Euro in 2008, equaling 3.3 – 7.5% of global GDP in 2008, the world is fighting a losing battle against soil erosion and degradation caused by natural and man-made causes.

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Educating a New Generation for a Better Future for Ceylon Cinnamon

2017-01-16

Educating a New Generation for a Better Future for Ceylon Cinnamon

Sri Lanka holds the monopoly for Ceylon Cinnamon or true cinnamon, the celebrated spice that changed the human history forever. Made from the bark of the small evergreen tree called Cinnamomum zelanicum, Ceylon Cinnamon’s unique fragrance and taste, as well as its remarkably low amounts of coumarin, had made it one of the most sought after spices made in Sri Lanka, ever since the world discovered the many uses of Ceylon Cinnamon.

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Sri Lanka’s Gem Exports to China set to increase

2017-01-16

Sri Lanka’s Gem Exports to China set to increase

In the wake of the Free Trade Agreement between China & Sri Lanka to be finalized around March 2017 and of the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) & Guangdong Gems and Jade Exchange (GDGJE), it’s on the cards that Sri Lankan gem exports to China, the world’s largest gem importer enjoying the lion’s share, that is, 76.8% of the world gem market - In financial terms, China’s gem imports amount to a whopping US $25.8 billion - will grow considerably.

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Ceylon Sapphire’s Star is Rising Due to Changing Market Trends

2017-01-12

Ceylon Sapphire’s Star is Rising Due to Changing Market Trends

Sri Lanka was once again reaffirmed as the Rathnadweepa or ‘the isle of gems’ by the discovery of the biggest blue star sapphire from a mine in Rathnapura, the town of gems.

Weighing an astonishing 1404 carats, the rare star sapphire now known as ‘Star of Adam’ was valued at over USD 300 million. Found during the fall of the year 2015, the star sapphire has evoked a greater interest and excitement among the global gem and jewelry traders.

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The Thriving Boat and Sea Craft Manufacturing Industry in Sri Lanka

2017-01-12

The Thriving Boat and Sea Craft Manufacturing Industry in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan boat manufacturers are seeing an increase in demand for pleasure, commercial and fishing boats following the International Boat and Fisheries Exhibition 2016 that was held at Dickowita Fishery Harbor in October last year.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, the country is tipped to receive an income of Rs. 20 billion by exporting Sri Lankan made fishing vessels to European countries including the UK, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and France.

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Improving Sri Lanka’s Rubber Sector with New Breeds and Varieties

2017-01-11

Improving Sri Lanka’s Rubber Sector with New Breeds and Varieties

Sri Lanka, the cradle of the global rubber revolution and one of the eleven natural rubber growing countries in the world, only holds the tenth position among the eleven members of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) mainly due to the low production and yield of natural rubber.

Due to the low yield in Sri Lankan rubber plantations and to the rising amounts of domestic consumption, Sri Lanka’s rubber exports have diminished from 120,900 metric tons in 1980 to a mere 16,300 metric tons in 2014, as per the statistics provided by the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.

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Coco Peat based Growing Media from Sri Lanka for Greenhouse Cultivation

2017-01-11

Coco Peat based Growing Media from Sri Lanka for Greenhouse Cultivation

It’s no secret that Sri Lanka’s abundance of Coconut plantations is a significant source of export earnings and employment generation in that it gives rise to a number of industries from Coconut flour to desiccate to activated carbon to coir grow bags and everything in between. While it’s not as common as Coconut oil, desiccate & activated carbon exports, Coconut substrate based growing media are a lucrative exports industry. The industry has created an economic value for Coco peat, a byproduct of coir manufacturing industry, which had long been held as deleterious in terms of the fertility of land.

Foremost among these growing media are coir grow bags, a product extensively used in greenhouses...

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Organic coconut products from Sri Lanka: Capitalizing on the global trend towards the organic food and related products

2016-12-26

Organic coconut products from Sri Lanka: Capitalizing on the global trend towards the organic food and related products

Whereas Sri Lanka isn’t the world’s largest producer of Coconut, our footprint on global coconut production is still significant. Also, in the context of local exports, as both natural Coconut and value added Coconut exports constitute a significant portion of Sri Lanka’s export earnings, the commercial vitality of Coconut is beyond question.

With increasing emphasis being placed on organic agriculture and the premium prices that authentic organic products command in the global marketplace, Sri Lankan value-added Coconut products exporters are turning slowly but steadily to production of value added organic Coconut products. Considering the growing demand for the organic agricultural products all over the world, this is a commercially astute and positive change of direction. Following are some of the value added organic Coconut products being currently exported by Sri Lankan Coconut products manufacturers and suppliers.

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The Forthcoming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka & China

2016-12-14

The Forthcoming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka & China

Sri Lanka is stepping up negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with three of its foremost trading partners - India, China and Singapore.

The government hopes to finalize discussions and reach comprehensive trade deals with India and Singapore by December 2016 and with China by the first quarter of 2017. Sri Lanka's recent interest in FTAs with major trading partners, touted in the media as “FTA Mania”, is totally justified.

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Developing a Stronger Natural Rubber Industry with the Help of Nanotechnology

2016-12-14

Developing a Stronger Natural Rubber Industry with the Help of Nanotechnology

Although Nanotechnology is a lesser celebrated subject in Sri Lanka, one of the country’s main export crops are tipped to benefit from the latest developments in Nanotechnology.

The latest research has discovered a new chemical process to combine carbon nanotubes with natural rubber compounds to enhance its flexibility and strength. What’s more, the process has been found to enhance the mechanical and electrical properties without sacrificing the elasticity of the material.

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EDB PROMOTE TRADE AND BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN PHILIPINES & SRI LANKA

2016-11-28

EDB PROMOTE TRADE AND BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN PHILIPINES & SRI LANKA

Export Market diversification is one of the strategies that the EDB has identified to increase Sri Lanka’s export. Considering  Sri Lanka’s present export market concentration mainly to USA and European countries and the importance of the emerging economic power of Asia the Philippines is one of the countries identified to promote our products.

Philippine is 12th most populous country in the world over 100 Mn. population. The GDP growth was 7% in 2013. Also it is an member of ASEAN and only the ASEAN member receiving EU GSP+ facility. This will provide market access opportunity for Sri Lanka.

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Health Benefits of Essential Oils from Sri Lanka

2016-11-25

Health Benefits of Essential Oils from Sri Lanka

The medicinal and cosmetic benefits of essential oils derived from a host of herbal, spice and flowering plants that are grown widely in Sri Lanka, has been a long kept secret that found its way to the rest of the world through spice trading merchants of Western Asia.

Today spice suppliers in Sri Lanka produce a range of essential oils through distillation of leaves, bark, roots and flowers to derive the oils and essence trapped inside. Among a large number of essential oils produced in Sri Lanka, a dozen or more are favored by aromatherapists and Ayurveda specialists who believe in the curative powers of these oils;

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Turkey Industrialists Businesswomen and Businessmen Confederation visits EDB

2016-11-25

Turkey Industrialists Businesswomen and Businessmen Confederation visits EDB

The General President of Turkey Industrialists Businesswomen and Businessmen Confederation, Nezaket Emine Atsoy met Mrs.  Indira Malwatte, the Chairperson & Chief Executive and the Directors of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) during their visit to  Sri Lanka from 7th to 11th November 2016.  Ms. Astoy is the Chairperson  of the Confederation  which has got a worldwide network consisting of key leaders in various sectors and decision makers of the concerned countries.

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Apparel Innovations: Manufacturing Smart Garments

2016-11-23

Apparel Innovations: Manufacturing Smart Garments

Beyond doubt, the Apparel industry makes a huge contribution to Sri Lanka’s total export earnings. For the calendar year 2015 alone, Apparel export revenue amounted to a whopping US $4.9 billion. In the light of this fact, the Apparel export sector’s bold ambition to earn US $8 billion as apparel export revenue by 2020 is fairly realistic and achievable. Also, directly employing 400.000 to 600,000 people, the sector consists of some of the country’s largest employers.

In an interview with Lanka Monthly Digest (LMD), Sri Lanka’s premier business magazine, Mr. Aroon Hirdaramani, a Director of the Hirdaramani Group, one of the country’s apparel giants observes that “…it is essential that we have a strong economic framework in place, to support the industry’s continued growth and competitiveness….”

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Colombo hosts 2nd edition of Intex South Asia

2016-11-17

Colombo hosts 2nd edition of Intex South Asia

Intex South Asia, the only international sourcing fair in South Asia which showcases the best in yarns, fabrics (apparel and denim) and clothing accessories, is presenting a grand display at the Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) in Colombo from 16-18 November.

It is the second edition of Intex South Asia and in anticipation of the Sri Lankan apparel industry regaining GSP+ concessions, this year’s exhibition was successful in bringing more than 150 exhibitors from Italy, Japan, South Africa, Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to Sri Lanka.

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Intex South Asia 2016 to showcase over 11 countries’ best of textiles

2016-11-15

Intex South Asia 2016 to showcase over 11 countries’ best of textiles

The aim of the new edition of Intex South Asia, which will take place from November 16 to 18, 2016, at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, Colombo, is to present and showcase the entire value chain by bringing together the best manufacturers of yarns, apparel fabrics, denims, clothing accessories and allied services.

Sri Lanka will soon witness leading international buyers visiting Colombo to attend and source at Intex South Asia. Leading buyers attending the show are from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Spain, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Mauritius, Iran, Australia, the USA, the UK, Europe, Nigeria, South Africa and many more.  The Sri Lankan apparel industry has also blocked its calendar to visit with its teams at this important  mega event.

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Specialty Tea - A Timely Boost to the Sri Lankan Tea Industry

2016-11-03

Specialty Tea - A Timely Boost to the Sri Lankan Tea Industry

Is the time ripe for Sri Lankan tea exporters to make a shift away from bulk tea to value added packed at the source tea, Specialty Teas, and Artisan Teas?

Specialty teas or artisan teas have been a well-kept secret in the Sri Lankan tea sector. Produced in small quantities and traded among select circles of tea connoisseurs, who have a taste for rare tea flavors, Ceylon Specialty Tea includes niche segments of local tea industry that produce white tea, fair trade organic tea, single estate loose leaf tea as well as flavored dessert teas.

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Sri Lanka seafood, apparel exports up in July

2016-10-18

Sri Lanka seafood, apparel exports up in July

Sri Lanka's seafood exports to the European Union picked up 19.9 percent in July 2016 from a year earlier, following the lifting of a ban, and apparel exports rose 3 percent, but lower commodity prices have hit petroleum and tea.  

Exports fell 4.4 percent to $891.2 million in July 2016 from a year earlier and imports fell 6.6 percent to $1,432 million dollars, shrinking the trade balance 10 percent to $541 million, official data showed.

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Sri Lanka is ready for business

2016-10-14

Sri Lanka is ready for business

To achieve strong growth Sri Lanka has put in place a multifaceted framework to encourage business and get access to key markets around the world, said a top official at an international forum.

The entire spectrum of economic changes planned by the Government to boost growth was outlined by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama at the inauguration of the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) on Wednesday. Given below is the full speech delivered by the Minister.  

It is a great pleasure indeed to welcome all participants to the 16th World Export Development Forum (WEDF) 2016, and at the outset permit me to thank the individuals and institutions whose untiring efforts have enabled this forum to take place in Sri Lanka. 

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SheTrades rings message of entrepreneurship

2016-10-14

SheTrades rings message of entrepreneurship

A bell ringing ceremony was held at Colombo Stock Exchange yesterday to raise awareness about International Trade Centre’s (ITC) ‘SheTrades’ initiative, which seeks to connect one million women entrepreneurs to markets by 2020.

The event was held in parallel with the World Export Development Forum (WEDF), organised by ITC in collaboration with Sri Lanka Export Development Board.


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