2017-01-17
With the annual economic losses due to deforestation and land degradation estimated at a 1.5 – 3.4 trillion Euro in 2008, equaling 3.3 – 7.5% of global GDP in 2008, the world is fighting a losing battle against soil erosion and degradation caused by natural and man-made causes.
2017-01-16
Sri Lanka holds the monopoly for Ceylon Cinnamon or true cinnamon, the celebrated spice that changed the human history forever. Made from the bark of the small evergreen tree called Cinnamomum zelanicum, Ceylon Cinnamon’s unique fragrance and taste, as well as its remarkably low amounts of coumarin, had made it one of the most sought after spices made in Sri Lanka, ever since the world discovered the many uses of Ceylon Cinnamon.
2017-01-16
In the wake of the Free Trade Agreement between China & Sri Lanka to be finalized around March 2017 and of the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) & Guangdong Gems and Jade Exchange (GDGJE), it’s on the cards that Sri Lankan gem exports to China, the world’s largest gem importer enjoying the lion’s share, that is, 76.8% of the world gem market - In financial terms, China’s gem imports amount to a whopping US $25.8 billion - will grow considerably.
2017-01-12
Sri Lanka was once again reaffirmed as the Rathnadweepa or ‘the isle of gems’ by the discovery of the biggest blue star sapphire from a mine in Rathnapura, the town of gems.
Weighing an astonishing 1404 carats, the rare star sapphire now known as ‘Star of Adam’ was valued at over USD 300 million. Found during the fall of the year 2015, the star sapphire has evoked a greater interest and excitement among the global gem and jewelry traders.
2017-01-12
Sri Lankan boat manufacturers are seeing an increase in demand for pleasure, commercial and fishing boats following the International Boat and Fisheries Exhibition 2016 that was held at Dickowita Fishery Harbor in October last year.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, the country is tipped to receive an income of Rs. 20 billion by exporting Sri Lankan made fishing vessels to European countries including the UK, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and France.
2017-01-11
Sri Lanka, the cradle of the global rubber revolution and one of the eleven natural rubber growing countries in the world, only holds the tenth position among the eleven members of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) mainly due to the low production and yield of natural rubber.
Due to the low yield in Sri Lankan rubber plantations and to the rising amounts of domestic consumption, Sri Lanka’s rubber exports have diminished from 120,900 metric tons in 1980 to a mere 16,300 metric tons in 2014, as per the statistics provided by the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.
2017-01-11
It’s no secret that Sri Lanka’s abundance of Coconut plantations is a significant source of export earnings and employment generation in that it gives rise to a number of industries from Coconut flour to desiccate to activated carbon to coir grow bags and everything in between. While it’s not as common as Coconut oil, desiccate & activated carbon exports, Coconut substrate based growing media are a lucrative exports industry. The industry has created an economic value for Coco peat, a byproduct of coir manufacturing industry, which had long been held as deleterious in terms of the fertility of land.
Foremost among these growing media are coir grow bags, a product extensively used in greenhouses...
2016-12-26
Whereas Sri Lanka isn’t the world’s largest producer of Coconut, our footprint on global coconut production is still significant. Also, in the context of local exports, as both natural Coconut and value added Coconut exports constitute a significant portion of Sri Lanka’s export earnings, the commercial vitality of Coconut is beyond question.
With increasing emphasis being placed on organic agriculture and the premium prices that authentic organic products command in the global marketplace, Sri Lankan value-added Coconut products exporters are turning slowly but steadily to production of value added organic Coconut products. Considering the growing demand for the organic agricultural products all over the world, this is a commercially astute and positive change of direction. Following are some of the value added organic Coconut products being currently exported by Sri Lankan Coconut products manufacturers and suppliers.
2016-12-14
Sri Lanka is stepping up negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with three of its foremost trading partners - India, China and Singapore.
The government hopes to finalize discussions and reach comprehensive trade deals with India and Singapore by December 2016 and with China by the first quarter of 2017. Sri Lanka's recent interest in FTAs with major trading partners, touted in the media as “FTA Mania”, is totally justified.
2016-12-14
Although Nanotechnology is a lesser celebrated subject in Sri Lanka, one of the country’s main export crops are tipped to benefit from the latest developments in Nanotechnology.
The latest research has discovered a new chemical process to combine carbon nanotubes with natural rubber compounds to enhance its flexibility and strength. What’s more, the process has been found to enhance the mechanical and electrical properties without sacrificing the elasticity of the material.
2016-11-28
Export Market diversification is one of the strategies that the EDB has identified to increase Sri Lanka’s export. Considering Sri Lanka’s present export market concentration mainly to USA and European countries and the importance of the emerging economic power of Asia the Philippines is one of the countries identified to promote our products.
Philippine is 12th most populous country in the world over 100 Mn. population. The GDP growth was 7% in 2013. Also it is an member of ASEAN and only the ASEAN member receiving EU GSP+ facility. This will provide market access opportunity for Sri Lanka.
2016-11-25
The medicinal and cosmetic benefits of essential oils derived from a host of herbal, spice and flowering plants that are grown widely in Sri Lanka, has been a long kept secret that found its way to the rest of the world through spice trading merchants of Western Asia.
Today spice suppliers in Sri Lanka produce a range of essential oils through distillation of leaves, bark, roots and flowers to derive the oils and essence trapped inside. Among a large number of essential oils produced in Sri Lanka, a dozen or more are favored by aromatherapists and Ayurveda specialists who believe in the curative powers of these oils;
2016-11-25
The General President of Turkey Industrialists Businesswomen and Businessmen Confederation, Nezaket Emine Atsoy met Mrs. Indira Malwatte, the Chairperson & Chief Executive and the Directors of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) during their visit to Sri Lanka from 7th to 11th November 2016. Ms. Astoy is the Chairperson of the Confederation which has got a worldwide network consisting of key leaders in various sectors and decision makers of the concerned countries.
2016-11-23
2016-11-17
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.
