Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Sri Lanka Exports Development Board (SLEDB) are working to uplift and transform the country’s Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and Business Process Management (BPM) sector as part of its recently launched National Export Strategy (NES).
The National Export Strategy (NES) is progressing in the right direction. It has six focused areas and is expected to provide the impetus for the export drive supporting economic growth, Chairperson of the Export Development Board (EDB), Indira Malwatte said.
UAE is blessed with a strategic location between the East and West, which makes it accessible to major emerging economies, linking shipping routes and facilitating goods' transportation between the various regions in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. Understanding the preciousness of the location, the business community has launched GULFOOD Food & Beverage exhibition in 1987 in Dubai and the exhibition has grown to promote F&B trade between more than 180 countries annually. In 2018 Gulfood set records with 97,000 visitors attending and over 5000 companies from over 185 different countries exhibiting their products.
Sri Lanka needs to make greater efforts to get into the US market using the United States Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme as a tool while ensuring that buyers are aware of GSP, said Dr. Fredrik Leuhusen from the School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Sri Lankan Wellness Tourism sector delegation has successfully concluded the participation at Arab Health Exhibition & Congress from 28-31 January 2019 by generating average 100-120 initial business contacts and out of which 75 are potential conversions. All the companies have had successful business contacts with the Travel Agents and other relevant organizations. Most of the Arab Clients have requested short holiday packages average for three four days which will be cost effective and companies are in the process of designing the packages to the identified clients. Delegation has showcased the best offerings of the Sri Lanka Wellness Tourism sector to the Arab clients & most of the travel agents and it was revealed that there is a huge potential for Sri Lanka to promote Wellness Tourism.
2019-02-11/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Enterprising-Sri-Lankan-exporters-showcase-at-Ambiente-2019/34-672643
Most of the Sri Lankan firms participating at the world’s largest consumer goods fair Ambiente 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany, expressed confidence over prospects to win more orders.
2019-02-01/ http://www.dailynews.lk/2019/02/01/business/176248/govt-launch-seven-pilot-projects-agriculture-development
The Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade along with the Export Development Board (EDB) will implement seven pilot projects for the development of agriculture for exports this month.
The fifth seminar for the Sabaragamuwa Province entrepreneurs on the national program of developing 2,000 exporters was held on 28 January at The Factory Ambanpitiya, Kegalle.
Export Development Board Chairperson Indira Malwatte has been reappointed by President Maithripala Sirisena.
2019-01-24/ http://www.ft.lk/business/The-Footwear-and-Leather-Fair-2019-kicks-off-on-Friday-at-BMICH/34-671535
Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co-operative Development Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will ceremoniously declare open the Footwear and Leather Fair 2019 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre, BMICH premises, Colombo, at 10 am on Friday, 25 January, in the presence of the distinguished gathering, which will include participants from India, China, Pakistan and Singapore.
2019-01-21/ http://www.dailynews.lk/2019/01/22/business/175019/edb-seeks-green-light-quarantine-authorities-china
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has made a formal request to the Quarantine Authorities of China for obtaining quarantine clearance for in a bid to support Sri Lankan Agri-entrepreneurs in gaining new ground in China’s organic market.
2019-01-17/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Eight-Sri-Lankan-garment-manufacturers-to-participate-in-Texworld-%E2%80%93-Apparel-Sourcing-USA-in-July/34-671026
Following an exciting summer edition of Texworld – Apparel Sourcing USA in July 2018, Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters is organising its first Sri Lankan Pavilion with the representation of eight companies at the first edition of the fair from 21 to 23 January, at Javits Convention Center.
Sri Lanka, despite its size is fast becoming an emerging destination for contemporary development. Famed for its traditional exports like Pure Ceylon Tea, Apparel and praised as a tourist hotspot, this island nation is now emerging as one of the top tech destinations in the world. The country has proved the strength of a dynamic force in the business world today, playing a dominant role advancing technology and driving innovation across the world.
Exporters last week hailed the Government’s commitment towards encouraging new champions to international trade and facilitation to ensure Sri Lanka reaches its targets by end of this year whilst urging immediate action over some of the concerns.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise and service exports in 2018 are estimated to have hit an all-time high of $ 17 billion, up 15% from a year earlier prompting the Government to be confident of achieving the $20 billion milestone this year.
Marking a major milestone, the Port of Colombo handled its seven millionth TEU yesterday, 31 December.
A special function was held at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to celebrate the handling of the seven million mark. The function was attended by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Rathnayake and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Secretary and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake.
2018-12-27/ www.ft.lk/business/Enhancing-capabilities-of-footwear-industry-to-maximise-benefits-under-int-l-trading-arrangements/34-669602
The Footwear and Leather sector has been identified as a potential sector by way of creating employment opportunities and earning and saving foreign exchange earnings. Since the local market is limited, exports are essential for the sustainability of the industry. This industry clearly has a significant potential for being a key contributor to the economy of the country, if empowered by appropriate support and guidance. At Present the footwear and Leather industry and its supporting industries including marketing chain employs around 250,000 people directly and indirectly. Sri Lanka’s exports of this sector was US$ 131.38 million and exports to EU was US$ 38.52 million in 2017.
Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) yesterday announced a significant equipment addition that will enhance the terminal’s deep water capacity and make Colombo one of the few ports in Asia capable of handling vessels of 22,000 + TEUs. The Company said the enhancement encompasses the addition of two new mega Quay Gantry Cranes (QGCs), six new Rubber-tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and 12 Prime Movers, and is planned for completion by March 2019. CICT’s existing QGCs are the biggest gantry cranes in the Indian Subcontinent region, and the addition of two even larger twin-lift QGCs from Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC), a global leader in quayside container cranes, will further strengthen the Port of Colombo’s hub status, the Company said.
Sri Lanka is working towards deriving maximum power generation from all spectrums of energy sources while minimizing the environmental impact it will cause. “It is important to tap all the power resources to generate the necessary supply and we are considerate of the environmental impact in doing so. Therefore, measures will be taken to mitigate the impact on the environment,” While the government is keen on working towards 100 percent electrification of households in the country, it has provided electricity to all the households requesting power.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board in collaboration with National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS), Department of National Botanic Gardens (DNBG) and Sri Lanka floriculture industry experts organized a full day workshop on production of ornamental plants. The workshop was held on 4th December 2018 at the EDB auditorium.
