National program to develop 2000 new exporters by the year 2020

The seventh seminar for the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar District entrepreneurs on the national program of developing 2000 new exporters was held on 1 March at the Vavuniya district secretariat conference hall.

The first seminar was held on 23 March 2017, launching the program for Northern Province entrepreneurs in Jaffna and the second phase of the seminar was held for the Central Province entrepreneurs in Kandy, the third phase for the Southern Province entrepreneurs in Matara, the fourth phase for the North Western Province entrepreneurs in Kurunegala, the fifth for the Sabaragamuwa Province entrepreneurs in Kegalle, and the sixth for the North Central Province entrepreneurs in Anuradhapura.

The EDB is implementing a national program to nurture 2000 new entrepreneurs to become exporters during the period 2017-2022 at regional level. The main objective of this program is to encourage domestic enterprises to invest in export industries to achieve the overall export target of $ 28 billion in 2022.

The objectives of the 2000 New Exporter Development Program are as follows.

• Contribute to achieve national export target of $ 23 billion in 2020
• Encourage regional-based entrepreneurs to enter the export market
• Integrate local supply chain to the global value chain of exports
• Explore export market opportunities for new products from regional resources utilising FTAs, GSP+ concessions etc. 
• Contribute to national initiative of creating one million jobs while empowering the regional community 

The program includes an awareness program for entrepreneurs, a technological display of technology used in the export industry for the benefit of entrepreneurs and the school students to educate about the export sector, and a discussion with top business leaders to attract them to the export sector. 

Export Development Board (EDB) will provide the following services for the Registered Entrepreneurs under the 2000 New Exporter Development Program.

• Grouping of entrepreneurs product sector wise
• Conducting interviews with the Registered Entrepreneurs for Need Analysis 
• Developing export-oriented business plans for each selected company
• Facilitating the setting up of Infrastructure Facilities (Lands/Industrial Estate etc. where necessary) 
• Facilitating Bank Financing (if required)
• Facilitating Technology Transfer/Sourcing of Machinery/ Training etc. 
• Facilitating Product Development
• Facilitating Market Development Activities – Trade Promotion Events, B2B Meetings and Inward Buying Missions etc. 
• Providing services of an EDB ‘Account Manager’ for Facilitation, Inputs, Coordination and solving issues related to above activities 
• Engaging in follow up and monitoring

The mini exhibition on technology is with the participation of stakeholder organisations relevant for the export sector representing Industrial Development Board (IDB), Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERD), Post-Harvest Technology Institute (PHTI), Department of Export Agriculture (DEA), Coconut Development Authority (CDA), Sri Lanka Institutes of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Lanka Ltd. and Tulip Technologies Ltd. 

The seminar will focus on introducing export business opportunities for development of products suitable for the province including spice products, ornamental articles, processed foods, Ayurvedic products, coir products, and ornamental fish and wellness tourism with a view to increase export supplies from the province of those potential products and services.

Northern Province Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Industry and Commerce and Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co-operative Development Rishad Bathiudeen, Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade Secretary S.T. Kodikara, Vavuniya District Secretary I.M. Haniffa, Mullaitivu District Secretary R. Ketheeswaran, Mannar District Secretary C.A. Mohanras, EDB Chairperson and Chief Executive Indira Malwatte and officials of Government and private sector graced this occasion.