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Exporters Forum sees over 37 firms voicing issues

2016-03-02

Exporters Forum sees over 37 firms voicing issues

No less than 37 firms are voicing their issues at the eighth Exporters Forum that opened on 29 February.

The session, is presided by the State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe. The Exporters’ Forum is a multi-stakeholder platform to assist Lankan exporters. At the previous 7th Forum concluded successfully last November, 72 issues were taken up and 47 were resolved. Several policy related issues of seventh Forum are now being attended to. There has been significant progress in VAT and Quartz related issues that were raised in the seventh Forum.

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Ebay targets more export sellers from Sri Lanka as volumes grow

2016-02-18

Ebay targets more export sellers from Sri Lanka as volumes grow

Ebay said it had tied up with Sri Lanka's HelloCorp to bring in new sellers, as retail export sales form the island have started to grow, despite the lack of remittance services such as Paypal.

"We see a very huge opportunity for Sri Lanka in the cross border business," Latif Nathani, a Vice President at Ebay said.

There were already 3,000 sellers in Sri Lanka offering around 9000 items for sale, he said.

Top exports from Sri Lanka included gemstones, healthcare and natural remedies, handicrafts and men's clothing.

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International footwear and leather exhibition from Feb 5-7EDB, Rishad join forces for Lanka exports’ next big hit

2016-02-08

International footwear and leather exhibition from Feb 5-7EDB, Rishad join forces for Lanka exports’ next big hit

A top Cabinet Minister and Sri Lanka’s apex exports facilitator EDB joined forces on 05 February to create Sri Lanka exports’ next big win-and the bulk of Lankan footwear and leather exports are footwear, rather than leather.

“It is a great pleasure to see this series of exhibitions initiated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in 2007, has today grown to an international level exhibition thanks to the commitment of my Ministry officials, the Exports Development Board, the IDB, and the footwear and leather sector of Sri Lanka” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 05 February in Colombo.

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International footwear and leather exhibition from Feb 5-7

2016-02-01

International footwear and leather exhibition from Feb 5-7

Local footwear and leather manufacturers need to be linked to global markets. This series of exhibitions is the best platform for the Lankan F&L sector to enter competitive global markets, said Addl. Director General, Development, EDB, Jeevani Siriwardena at the pre-event briefing on the International Footwear and Leather Expo.

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No foreign items in Colombo's int’l Footwear & Leather show

2016-01-28

No foreign items in Colombo's int’l Footwear & Leather show

In a new step to enhance the global reputation of Lankan Footwear & Leather (F&L) sector, Sri Lanka’s apex export facilitator EDB locked the presence of any imported F&L items at the forthcoming international Footwear and Leather (F&L) show to be held in Colombo in February, thereby greatly re-assuring the prospective Lankan F&L exhibitors.  Meanwhile, the international reception for the ongoing Colombo F&L series is such that prospective buyers from four countries already confirmed their arrival to EDB.

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Sri Lanka’s Rebirth

2016-01-25

Sri Lanka’s Rebirth

Sri Lanka has been deservedly praised for the progress it has made since the end of the war against the separatist Tamil Tigers in 2009. The economy has grown at an average annual rate of 6.7%, and education and health statistics are impressive.

All developing countries face myriad challenges, but this is especially the case for a country that has suffered an intense 30-year civil war. The government will need to set priorities; but success will require a comprehensive approach.

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Ceylon Tea exporters in for better times

2016-01-22

Ceylon Tea exporters in for better times

Sri Lankan tea exporters received much needed encouragement and Ministerial level assurance to resolve their travails –and with the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders in future.

 At a special meeting with the exporters at EDB held recently, State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe came forward to assist the tea exporters to resolve their pressing issues and to hold direct consultations with them on a regular basis. Interestingly, the idea of leveraging foreign made teas to strategically enhance Sri Lanka’s tea export goals and sustain its tea hub reputation came under in-depth discussion -with upbeat responses from exporters. Among the firms joining the discussion were Akbar Bros, George Steuart Teas Pvt Ltd, Jafferjee Bros Exports Ltd, and Imperial Tea.

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EDB-SLINTEC to enhance research & development access to Lankan exporters

2016-01-14

EDB-SLINTEC to enhance research & development access to Lankan exporters

The Export Development Board (EDB) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) on 12th January, 2016 with the view to enhance research and development access to Sri Lanka’s exporters.

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EASL felicitates new EDB Chairman, hands over ‘Export Strategy Document’

2016-01-08

EASL felicitates new EDB Chairman, hands over ‘Export Strategy Document’

The Exporters Association of Sri Lanka, an affiliate of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, recently presented a strategy document to Indira Malwatte, Chairperson of the Export Development Board, outlining the issues faced by the exporters.

The document was handed over during a felicitation ceremony held by the EASL to Indira Malwatte, who was recently appointed as the new Chairperson of the EDB.

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Two IT parks for Pallekele and Achchuveli on the cards

2016-01-04

Two IT parks for Pallekele and Achchuveli on the cards

Sri Lanka would set two IT parks in Pallekele Export Processing Zone and the Achchuveli Industrial Zone Jaffna said Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama.

Speaking to employees of the Board of Investment(BOI), Department of Mahapola Trust, Department of Import and Exports and Export Development Board (EDB) last Friday he said that in addition new economic zones would be set up in Hambantota, Kuliyapitiya, Kilinochchi, Meerigama, Trincomalee and Avissawella. The existing zones in Kandy (Pallekele) and Mirigama would be redeveloped.

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EDB help for construction firms to expand overseas

2015-12-17

EDB help for construction firms to expand overseas

Sri Lanka Exports Development Board (EDB) will step up efforts to facilitate local construction companies to expand their services in Myanmar, EDB Chairperson and CEO Indira Malwatte said.

Under this initiative, the government hopes to employ more Sri Lankan engineers, quantity surveyors, graduates and others in the overseas construction services sector.

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President vows fullest support to boost exporters

2015-12-17

President vows fullest support to boost exporters

Putting a personal touch on efforts to bolster Sri Lanka’s exports President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday reaffirmed his stance to assist exporters assuring that his Government would leave no stone unturned in supporting foreign exchange earners.

Attending the Presidential Exports Awards held for the 21st time, following a four year hiatus. President Sirisena pointed out that encouragement is a must as foreign reserves in the country are drying up due to decreasing exports. He termed this downtrend a “point of national urgency.”

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Akbar Brothers extends lead as top tea exporter

2015-12-17

Akbar Brothers extends lead as top tea exporter

The pre-eminent standing of Akbar Brothers in the Sri Lankan Tea Industry has once again been affirmed and recognised with sweeping accolades at the Presidential Exports Awards.

Akbar Brothers bagged seven highly-coveted awards at the ceremony held on 16 December, presided over by President Maithripala Sirisena. The company was adjudged the Best Tea Sector Exporter for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. In addition, it won the exalted Best Sri Lanka Overall Exporter (All Sectors) for 2010 and the Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter (All Sectors) for 2012 and 2013. Most impressively, Akbar Brothers had the singular honour of being the only tea company that has qualified for the Presidential Export Awards.

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Lankan exports facilitation opens wider

2015-11-30

Lankan exports facilitation opens wider

Sri Lanka’s apex platform to solve exporters’ issues, the Exporters’ Forum, wrapped its seventh session successfully on 27 November with a significant change to the ongoing interaction process; the Lankan exporters may no longer need to agonise till the next forum announcement to find solutions. “You don’t have to wait for this once in three months’ forum but you can now contact us anytime. As we move towards one stop shop solutions, EDB will be restructured and will be made as attractive as possible to exporters,” announced Lankan State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe.

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‘Sri Lanka ICT exports $ 5 b by 2020’: EDB

2015-11-23

‘Sri Lanka ICT exports $ 5 b by 2020’: EDB

Invigorated by Sri Lanka’s ICT exports surge, the country’s apex export facilitator EDB announced a new ICT/BPO exports target and a mere few hours’ B2B sessions between Lankan and Asia-Pacific ICT firms facilitated by EDB reported a whopping marathon of one-to-one business meet jamboree-right here in Colombo. “Let us try to forge ahead with solid business to business meetings today that will materialise to effective commercial activity. That is how all of us in our region can help each other,” stressed EDB Chairperson and CEO Indira Malwatte on 20 November.

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Sri Lankan electronic exports at $343 mn

2015-11-08

Sri Lankan electronic exports at $343 mn

Sri Lanka’s fledgling R&D innovation and start up cluster has hit big time in its maiden funding round and several hi-tech start ups, having crossed their R&D experiments barrier are now poised to commercialise their innovations anytime.

“The government’s vision is to transform Sri Lanka into a strategically important global economic centre. Increasing the share of hi-tech exports is essential to face the intense competition in the global market” stressed Himali Jinadasa, Acting Director General, Export Development Board, (EDB).

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Falling exports due to global downturn: EDB Chairperson

2015-11-06

Falling exports due to global downturn: EDB Chairperson

Sri Lanka’s present exports lull is due to many reasons but chiefly a throwback from the global market fall-and achieving national export targets is not a journey of a sole institution but requires a collaborative, cross-sectoral push, as stressed by the new Chairperson of Exports Development Board on 05 November.

“Exports are coming down due to various reasons, but chiefly since the global markets have come down-it’s not EDB alone. The Council of Ministers was a beautiful mechanism” announced Indira Malwatte (new Chairperson of EDB) on 05 November.

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Sri Lanka shines at Anuga International Trade Fair in Cologne

2015-10-30

Sri Lanka shines at Anuga International Trade Fair in Cologne

The 33rd Edition of the Anuga International 2015, the biggest General Food and Beverages Exhibition of the world was held in Cologne, Germany from October 10-14, 2015.  7063 companies from 108 nations exhibited their products to the 160,000 trade visitors from 192 Nations.


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Indira Malwatte appointed as new Head of EDB

2015-10-30

Indira Malwatte appointed as new Head of EDB

Indira Malwatte took office as the first woman to lead the Export Development Board (EDB) yesterday. “I am very confident of making a positive contribution to the export effort of our country,” newly-appointed EDB Chairperson Malwatte said.


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EDB upheaval!

2015-10-23

EDB upheaval!

Giving a sudden boost to Sri Lanka’s national exports push, the country’s apex export facilitator, the Export Development Board (EDB) has been directed to perform as a private sector entity henceforth to realise the country’s export reforms.

This makes the EDB itself a top reform target and formulation of sub sector level export targets with greatly increased export value addition is now on the cards.

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