Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is implementing a number of programmes in commemorating the International Women Day in 2019.
A meeting was convened recently by the Hon. Malik Samarawickarama, Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade (MoDSIT), to discuss the progress of the Logistics Strategy of the National Export Strategy. Mr. S T Kodikara, Secretary of MoDSIT, Mr. J M Thilakaratne Banda, Addl. Secretary of Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation (MoTCA), Mr. Dhammika Ranatunga, Chairman – Airport & Aviation Services Ltd (AASL), Mrs. Indira Malwatte, Chairperson & CE of Sri Lanka Export Development Board(EDB), Mr. Upali de Zoysa, Addl. Managing Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority(SLPA) participated at the meeting along with the officials from the Ministry of Ports & Shipping and Southern Development. The Minister commended the participants on their commitment to the national endeavor to implement the Logistics Sector Strategy of NES.
Over sixty Food and Beverage exporting companies from Sri Lanka successfully participated in the 24th edition of Gulf Food 2019 trade exhibition which is considered as the world's biggest Food & Drink event held annually.The exhibition was held at Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE during 17th to 21st February from 11.00am to 7.00 pm daily.The opportunity was effectively utilized for the promotion of Ceylon Tea and food related exports from Sri Lanka to the UAE and Gulf region as well as other global markets.
The World Expo is one of the oldest and largest international events taking place every 5 years and lasting for 6 month where everyone can learn, innovate and create progress by sharing ideas and working together through a common theme. United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been selected as the host country for the forthcoming event to be held in year 2020. This World Expo will be held for a period of six months from 20th October 2020 to 10th April 2021 in Dubai under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. The World Expo in Dubai in 2020 will be the first to be held in the MENA & SA (Middle East and North Africa & South Asia Region.
The sixth seminar for the North Central Province entrepreneurs on the national program of developing 2000 New Exporters was held on February 22, 2019 at The Golden Mango Resort, Anuradhapura
Government in collaboration with the private sector is in the process of setting up an operation of a Business Center for Incubators and Accelerators in the Northern region in order to develop Enterprises in the Technology Sector by youth in the Northern region.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
