2016-11-15
2016-11-03
Is the time ripe for Sri Lankan tea exporters to make a shift away from bulk tea to value added packed at the source tea, Specialty Teas, and Artisan Teas?
Specialty teas or artisan teas have been a well-kept secret in the Sri Lankan tea sector. Produced in small quantities and traded among select circles of tea connoisseurs, who have a taste for rare tea flavors, Ceylon Specialty Tea includes niche segments of local tea industry that produce white tea, fair trade organic tea, single estate loose leaf tea as well as flavored dessert teas.
2016-10-18
Sri Lanka's seafood exports to the European Union picked up 19.9 percent in July 2016 from a year earlier, following the lifting of a ban, and apparel exports rose 3 percent, but lower commodity prices have hit petroleum and tea.
Exports fell 4.4 percent to $891.2 million in July 2016 from a year earlier and imports fell 6.6 percent to $1,432 million dollars, shrinking the trade balance 10 percent to $541 million, official data showed.
2016-10-14
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.
2016-10-14
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.
2016-10-12
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.
2016-10-07
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.
2016-07-05
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.
2016-07-05
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.
2016-06-26
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
2015-12-01
2015-11-30
2015-11-16
2015-09-18
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.
2015-09-17
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.
2015-09-17
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.
2015-08-21
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.
2015-08-20
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.
2015-08-03
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.
2015-07-30
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.
