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EDB Blog

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Sri Lanka is ready for business

2016-10-14

Sri Lanka is ready for business

To achieve strong growth Sri Lanka has put in place a multifaceted framework to encourage business and get access to key markets around the world, said a top official at an international forum.

The entire spectrum of economic changes planned by the Government to boost growth was outlined by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama at the inauguration of the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) on Wednesday. Given below is the full speech delivered by the Minister.  

It is a great pleasure indeed to welcome all participants to the 16th World Export Development Forum (WEDF) 2016, and at the outset permit me to thank the individuals and institutions whose untiring efforts have enabled this forum to take place in Sri Lanka. 

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SheTrades rings message of entrepreneurship

2016-10-14

SheTrades rings message of entrepreneurship

A bell ringing ceremony was held at Colombo Stock Exchange yesterday to raise awareness about International Trade Centre’s (ITC) ‘SheTrades’ initiative, which seeks to connect one million women entrepreneurs to markets by 2020.

The event was held in parallel with the World Export Development Forum (WEDF), organised by ITC in collaboration with Sri Lanka Export Development Board.


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Time to make trade happen

2016-10-12

Time to make trade happen

A robust trade agenda is essential for Sri Lanka to leapfrog competitors, believes International Trade Centre (ITC) Executive Director Arancha González, who is in Colombo to attend the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) sessions today that will also focus on SMEs and foster direct engagement between businesses.     

ITC is the joint agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the World Trade Organization. Gonzalez is in Colombo this week to meet with key Government officials and attend the sessions of the WEDF on Wednesday and Thursday. The forum has been billed as one of the largest trade promotions forums to date with hundreds of local and foreign companies participating in nearly 3,000 “speed dating” sessions during the next two days.   

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World Export Development Forum

2016-10-07

World Export Development Forum

The much anticipated 16th edition of the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) is held at the BMICH from 12th to 13th of October 2016. The forum represents a momentous occasion for all those who intend to explore the new trade and development landscape and identify the current and emergent trade opportunities & trends.

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Indira Malwatte – Sri Lanka The Lifetime Achievement Award (Business)

2016-07-05

Indira Malwatte – Sri Lanka The Lifetime Achievement Award (Business)

In recognition of a lifetime of dedication, underpinned with a bold vision and a strong sense of integrity, Indira Malwatte is awarded TheWIFTS Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 (Business). Her groundbreaking appointment and mandate as the first woman to serve as the Chairperson and Chief Executive of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EBD) is to stimulate Export Development and International Trade. The EBD is the apex institution vested with national responsibility for Export Development across Sri Lanka.

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CHAIRPERSON EDB INDIRA MALWATTE – THE FIRST SRI LANKAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE THEWIFTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

2016-07-05

CHAIRPERSON EDB INDIRA MALWATTE – THE FIRST SRI LANKAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE THEWIFTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

TheWIFTS Foundation International Visionary Awards 2016 was held at the Millennium Hotel in London UK among a distinguished gathering of international women achievers on the 2nd of July. The Women’s International Film and Television Showcase (TheWIFTS) is an organization dedicated to bringing women together from all walks of life through the art form of film and television, business, the humanities and the environment.

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Indira Malwatte Recieves TheWIFTS Lifetime Achievement Award

2016-06-26

Indira Malwatte Recieves TheWIFTS Lifetime Achievement Award

In recognition of a lifelong career, Indira Malwatte, chairperson and chief executive of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has been awarded TheWIFTS Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 (Business). The Women’s International Film & Television Showcase (TheWIFTS) made the announcement today. Sri Lanka atteneded the Cannes International Film festival for the first time in 2016, as part of the country’s push to promote export services through the EDB. The award will be presented Saturday, July 2, at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair, London. For more information about the 2016 honorees and the event

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EDB links with three new apparel markets

2015-12-01

EDB links with three new apparel markets

Powered by the country’s apex exports facilitator EDB, Lankan apparel sector reported a sudden victory when it snatched a new virgin market and some premium global buyers of three other new markets.

A visiting high powered multinational buyer team finally linked with the EDB reps and Lankan apparel giants on Nov.27 at Mt Lavinia Hotel after a three-year long resolute quest since 2012 by EDB to link with nine top global retailers.

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Taiwan Textile Fair concludes in Colombo

2015-11-30

Taiwan Textile Fair concludes in Colombo

The fourth annual Taiwan Textile Fair concluded at Grand Crystal Ballroom, Taj Samudra Hotel Colombo when. The event was organised by the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) and the Bureau of Foreign Trade.

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SL has set an ‘ambitious’ 2020 export target: State Minister Sujeewa

2015-11-16

SL has set an ‘ambitious’ 2020 export target: State Minister Sujeewa

Notwithstanding the global trade decline, Sri Lanka exports sector is highly ambitious aiming for a five-fold jump of its top export of repute, apparels while China’s premium knitting sector is gearing up to partner with surging Sri Lankan apparel sector.

“We are looking to increase total apparel exports by five-fold, to $ 20 Bn. And by 2020 we are aiming at $50Bn national exports, which is an ambitious goal,” said Sujeewa Senasinghe (State Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade) on 16 November.

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Sri Lankan Goldsmiths – Jewellery Makers of Sri Lanka

2015-09-18

Sri Lankan Goldsmiths – Jewellery Makers of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been known for exquisite jewellery designs made with gold and silver and decorated with precious gems for nearly three thousand years.

Country's most famous political prisoner of all times, Robert Knox, observed that many women in ancient Sri Lanka at least owned one piece of exquisitely made gold or silver jewellery adorned with a precious stone.

Gold and silver jewellery plays a larger part in Sri Lankan culture, they are an essential part of a local bride's trousseau regardless of her economic and social standards and is among the first of the investments parents make for their daughters. 

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The Adventures and Romance of Gem Mining in Sri Lanka

2015-09-17

The Adventures and Romance of Gem Mining in Sri Lanka

The search for a colourful precious gemstones is a struggle between life and death to many gemstone miners in Sri Lanka, who risk their lives deep inside the gem pits in search of the precious bounties of the earth. The earth’s greatest concentration of gems in over 50 varieties is found within the country’s land area of approximately 25,000 square miles. 

Mining for gem stones is a group attempt in Sri Lanka, where a group of miners combine effort with a landowner and an investor to search for that one gemstone that would fetch them an earth shattering price.

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Celebrated Ruby Gems of Sri Lanka

2015-09-17

Celebrated Ruby Gems of Sri Lanka

Famed for their clarity and distinct pink red colour rubies from Sri Lanka has had a special place in global history.

A giant ruby from Sri Lanka helped King Solomon win the heart of Queen Sheba and another in his regal ring carried magical powers, and even after several thousand years, Sri Lankan rubies are celebrated for their colour, cut and quality.

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Sri Lanka's Batik Industry -heading for a vibrant future

2015-08-21

Sri Lanka's Batik Industry -heading for a vibrant future

Originally a Javanese word which meant 'writing with wax', batik has come a long way since it was spread across East Asia by Dutch colonial officers.

Originated in Indonesia and introduced to Sri Lanka by Dutch at the turn of the 19th century, the batik industry in Sri Lanka has developed into a unique form of textile art exclusive to the country.
Originated as a primary art of fabric dying, Batik has evolved into a vibrant industry of fabric art in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore with their own identity, methodology and design.

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Sri Lankan Hand looms- a colourful tradition from the past

2015-08-20

Sri Lankan Hand looms- a colourful tradition from the past

The legendary beginning of the Sri Lankan history also provides clues of a well-developed Sri Lankan weaving industry nearly three thousand years back, and even today Sri Lankan hand loom products portray their rich heritage and cultural diversity in their designs and technologies.

According to the Great chronicles or Mahavamsa, Princess Kuweni the sorcerer princess of Sri Lanka was busy at her weaving wheel when the Indian cast ashore and rebel Prince, Wijaya met her at Tammanna or present day Mannar in Sri Lanka, turning a new page in country's history and starting a new line of rule in Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lankan Apparel; creating global high street fashion

2015-08-03

Sri Lankan Apparel; creating global high street fashion

With a specialised knowledge and improved awareness, apparel manufacturers makes nearly 90% of the apparel industry in Sri Lanka and joint ventures between local garment manufacturers and international fashion houses accounts for almost three quarters of the garment manufacturing facilities in the country.

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Sri Lankan virgin coconut oil; the nature's best

2015-07-30

Sri Lankan virgin coconut oil; the nature's best

Used as a substitute for animal and vegetable based oil, fat and butter during the time of shortages caused by the second world war, coconut oil was banned from western markets and was tabooed as a direct cause of heart diseases due to the presence of saturated fat in RBD coconut oil.

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Coir Brushes; cleaning the natural way

2015-07-29

Coir Brushes; cleaning the natural way

Sri Lanka is among the main coir manufacturers in the world with Sri Lankan coir and coir based product manufacturer catering to nearly 40% of the global demand. Sri Lanka is also the largest supplier of brown fibre to the world with an annual exportation of 100,000 mt.

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Sri Lankan Solid Rubber Tyres -Steering the globe ahead

2015-07-27

Sri Lankan Solid Rubber Tyres -Steering the globe ahead

Manufactured from advanced natural compounds through intricate moulding operations, solid rubber tyres include tyres used in forklifts, land mowers, skate boards, golf carts, scooters and many types of industrial vehicles including heavy trucks, carts and trailers. Unlike the pneumatic tyres, solid tyres are not filled with air and can endure high pressure and weight without bursting and are more durable for wear and tear, that occurs when handling industrial type weight.

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The Natural Rubber Industry of Sri Lanka

2015-07-27

The Natural Rubber Industry of Sri Lanka

Started in 1876, with the planting of 1,919 rubber seedlings at the Henerathgoda Botanical Gardens in Gampaha, Sri Lankan that became the origin of an uninterrupted and profitable supply chain of an agricultural commodity, Sri Lankan natural rubber has since acquired the status of an industrial raw material with a global significance.

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