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EDB Blog

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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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Time to make trade happen

2016-10-12

Time to make trade happen

A robust trade agenda is essential for Sri Lanka to leapfrog competitors, believes International Trade Centre (ITC) Executive Director Arancha González, who is in Colombo to attend the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) sessions today that will also focus on SMEs and foster direct engagement between businesses.     

ITC is the joint agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the World Trade Organization. Gonzalez is in Colombo this week to meet with key Government officials and attend the sessions of the WEDF on Wednesday and Thursday. The forum has been billed as one of the largest trade promotions forums to date with hundreds of local and foreign companies participating in nearly 3,000 “speed dating” sessions during the next two days.   

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World Export Development Forum

2016-10-07

World Export Development Forum

The much anticipated 16th edition of the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) is held at the BMICH from 12th to 13th of October 2016. The forum represents a momentous occasion for all those who intend to explore the new trade and development landscape and identify the current and emergent trade opportunities & trends.

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Indira Malwatte – Sri Lanka The Lifetime Achievement Award (Business)

2016-07-05

Indira Malwatte – Sri Lanka The Lifetime Achievement Award (Business)

In recognition of a lifetime of dedication, underpinned with a bold vision and a strong sense of integrity, Indira Malwatte is awarded TheWIFTS Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 (Business). Her groundbreaking appointment and mandate as the first woman to serve as the Chairperson and Chief Executive of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EBD) is to stimulate Export Development and International Trade. The EBD is the apex institution vested with national responsibility for Export Development across Sri Lanka.

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CHAIRPERSON EDB INDIRA MALWATTE – THE FIRST SRI LANKAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE THEWIFTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

2016-07-05

CHAIRPERSON EDB INDIRA MALWATTE – THE FIRST SRI LANKAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE THEWIFTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

TheWIFTS Foundation International Visionary Awards 2016 was held at the Millennium Hotel in London UK among a distinguished gathering of international women achievers on the 2nd of July. The Women’s International Film and Television Showcase (TheWIFTS) is an organization dedicated to bringing women together from all walks of life through the art form of film and television, business, the humanities and the environment.

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Indira Malwatte Recieves TheWIFTS Lifetime Achievement Award

2016-06-26

Indira Malwatte Recieves TheWIFTS Lifetime Achievement Award

In recognition of a lifelong career, Indira Malwatte, chairperson and chief executive of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has been awarded TheWIFTS Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 (Business). The Women’s International Film & Television Showcase (TheWIFTS) made the announcement today. Sri Lanka atteneded the Cannes International Film festival for the first time in 2016, as part of the country’s push to promote export services through the EDB. The award will be presented Saturday, July 2, at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair, London. For more information about the 2016 honorees and the event

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EDB links with three new apparel markets

2015-12-01

EDB links with three new apparel markets

Powered by the country’s apex exports facilitator EDB, Lankan apparel sector reported a sudden victory when it snatched a new virgin market and some premium global buyers of three other new markets.

A visiting high powered multinational buyer team finally linked with the EDB reps and Lankan apparel giants on Nov.27 at Mt Lavinia Hotel after a three-year long resolute quest since 2012 by EDB to link with nine top global retailers.

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Taiwan Textile Fair concludes in Colombo

2015-11-30

Taiwan Textile Fair concludes in Colombo

The fourth annual Taiwan Textile Fair concluded at Grand Crystal Ballroom, Taj Samudra Hotel Colombo when. The event was organised by the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) and the Bureau of Foreign Trade.

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SL has set an ‘ambitious’ 2020 export target: State Minister Sujeewa

2015-11-16

SL has set an ‘ambitious’ 2020 export target: State Minister Sujeewa

Notwithstanding the global trade decline, Sri Lanka exports sector is highly ambitious aiming for a five-fold jump of its top export of repute, apparels while China’s premium knitting sector is gearing up to partner with surging Sri Lankan apparel sector.

“We are looking to increase total apparel exports by five-fold, to $ 20 Bn. And by 2020 we are aiming at $50Bn national exports, which is an ambitious goal,” said Sujeewa Senasinghe (State Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade) on 16 November.

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Sri Lankan Goldsmiths – Jewellery Makers of Sri Lanka

2015-09-18

Sri Lankan Goldsmiths – Jewellery Makers of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been known for exquisite jewellery designs made with gold and silver and decorated with precious gems for nearly three thousand years.

Country's most famous political prisoner of all times, Robert Knox, observed that many women in ancient Sri Lanka at least owned one piece of exquisitely made gold or silver jewellery adorned with a precious stone.

Gold and silver jewellery plays a larger part in Sri Lankan culture, they are an essential part of a local bride's trousseau regardless of her economic and social standards and is among the first of the investments parents make for their daughters. 

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The Adventures and Romance of Gem Mining in Sri Lanka

2015-09-17

The Adventures and Romance of Gem Mining in Sri Lanka

The search for a colourful precious gemstones is a struggle between life and death to many gemstone miners in Sri Lanka, who risk their lives deep inside the gem pits in search of the precious bounties of the earth. The earth’s greatest concentration of gems in over 50 varieties is found within the country’s land area of approximately 25,000 square miles. 

Mining for gem stones is a group attempt in Sri Lanka, where a group of miners combine effort with a landowner and an investor to search for that one gemstone that would fetch them an earth shattering price.

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Celebrated Ruby Gems of Sri Lanka

2015-09-17

Celebrated Ruby Gems of Sri Lanka

Famed for their clarity and distinct pink red colour rubies from Sri Lanka has had a special place in global history.

A giant ruby from Sri Lanka helped King Solomon win the heart of Queen Sheba and another in his regal ring carried magical powers, and even after several thousand years, Sri Lankan rubies are celebrated for their colour, cut and quality.

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