Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
For the first time in Sri Lanka’s exports history, a renowned global food scientist began on June 11 to extensively train Lankan food exporters on the much needed international regulatory compliance rules. And processed food has grown to become a key component of Sri Lanka’s overall annual food exports.
“In 2012, 26% of total food and beverages exports were processed foods, at $ 73.4 mn. Our overall processed food exports which stood at $ 67.1 mn in 2010 rose to a strong $ 95 mn in 2011,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on June 11 in Colombo. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the launch event of fist International Food Safety and Compliance Training session by globally renowned Food Scientist Dr. Barbara Rasco, Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition of the Washington State University.
Senior Minister for International Monetary Co-operation Dr. Sarath Amunugama has proposed to make it mandatory for Sri Lanka's cinnamon exporters to adhere to the specifications for Sri Lanka standard for exporting of cinnamon.
The proposed measure is aimed at preventing the export of low quality cinnamon and enhancing the production of cinnamon in the country sustaining the livelihood of more than 350,000 families engaged in the industry, the government says.
As Sri Lanka experienced a 10.3 % industry surge in 2012, Sri Lanka’s historic industry growth rate appeared to exceed the growth rate of its own GDP.
“Lankan historic industry sector growth has surpassed even the national GDP growth rate-in that, the industry ‘value addition’ to the GDP in 2012, is 62 times to that of 1960 when CNCI began at only US $ 269 million. Our industrial exports too, increased by 28 %, in 2011,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce addressing the CNCI Achiever Awards 2013 launch event held at the Cinnamon Grand on May14 .
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the assistance of the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK proposes to organized a Sri Lanka pavilion for the first time at the International Food & Drink Exhibition held in the United Kingdom from 17th to 20th March 2013.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai in UAE organized Sri Lanka pavilion at the Gulfood 2013 International Fair held on Dubai, UAE from 25th - 28th February 2013.
The Gulfood International Fair is one of the most established events in the world for buyers to source food & beverage products. The EDB has identified Gulfood Trade Fair held annually in UAE to promote Sri Lankan food and beverage products. It caters not only to the UAE but also to the Middle Eastern and African markets as a whole
