Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Sri Lanka needs to make greater efforts to get into the US market using the United States Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme as a tool while ensuring that buyers are aware of GSP, said Dr. Fredrik Leuhusen from the School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles.
2019-01-24/ http://www.ft.lk/business/The-Footwear-and-Leather-Fair-2019-kicks-off-on-Friday-at-BMICH/34-671535
Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co-operative Development Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will ceremoniously declare open the Footwear and Leather Fair 2019 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre, BMICH premises, Colombo, at 10 am on Friday, 25 January, in the presence of the distinguished gathering, which will include participants from India, China, Pakistan and Singapore.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise and service exports in 2018 are estimated to have hit an all-time high of $ 17 billion, up 15% from a year earlier prompting the Government to be confident of achieving the $20 billion milestone this year.
2018-12-27/ www.ft.lk/business/Enhancing-capabilities-of-footwear-industry-to-maximise-benefits-under-int-l-trading-arrangements/34-669602
The Footwear and Leather sector has been identified as a potential sector by way of creating employment opportunities and earning and saving foreign exchange earnings. Since the local market is limited, exports are essential for the sustainability of the industry. This industry clearly has a significant potential for being a key contributor to the economy of the country, if empowered by appropriate support and guidance. At Present the footwear and Leather industry and its supporting industries including marketing chain employs around 250,000 people directly and indirectly. Sri Lanka’s exports of this sector was US$ 131.38 million and exports to EU was US$ 38.52 million in 2017.
The 22nd Presidential Export Awards Ceremony was held to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Exporters at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, on September 18, 2018, under the patronage of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena the President of Sri Lanka.
Following is the address by Minister Malik Samarawickrama at the Presidential Export Awardson 18 September
2018-05-16/ http://www.ft.lk/business/EDB-awareness-program-for-Southern-Province-entrepreneurs-to-establish-2-000-exporters-by-2020/34-655151
Sri Lanka Export Development Board organised an awareness program for the entrepreneurs of the Southern Province on the national program to establish 2,000 new exporters. The program was held at the Sanaya Hotel, Matara on Friday, 11 May.
2018-03-09/ http://www.ft.lk/special-report/Australian-HC-calls-for-gender-equality--empowerment-in-SL/22-650848
As Sri Lanka posts one of the lowest female workforce participation rates of any comparable country, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Bryce Hutchesson yesterday called on all stakeholders to promote gender equality and empowerment to unleash the potential of women in business
A group of UK Parliamentarians headed by MP Ranil Jayawardena visited EDB recently and discussed the current trade scenario as well as the future potential......
2017-12-08/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Turkey-s-DeriDesen-interested-in-starting-production-in-Sri-Lanka/34-644796
Istanbul-based Turkish label manufacturer DeriDesen has expressed interest in starting a production plant in Sri Lanka.
2017-10-30/ http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/EDB-participates-in-Intergovernmental-Group-of-Experts-on-E-Commerce-and-the-Digital-Economy/50-642443
Information and communications technologies (ICTs) are playing an increasingly important role in the implementation of the digitalisation of economic activities and trade which can support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to ICT-enabled financial services.
2017-10-25/ http://www.ft.lk/top-story/World-Export-Development-Forum-kicks-off-in-Hungary-today/26-642182
The 2017 edition of the annual World Export Development Forum (WEDF) kicks off today in Budapest, Hungary under the theme ‘Trade – A Force for Good: Include, Innovate, Integrate’.
A 15-member delegation led by Myoung-jin Shin, Chairman and CEO of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), visited Sri Lanka earlier this month on the invitation of the Sri Lanka Embassy in South Korea and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) to explore business and investment opportunities in diverse areas.
The EDB entered into a Letter of Understanding (LoU) with the PUM Netherlands Senior Experts with a view to supporting particularly export oriented Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by obtaining services of PUM experts from mainly Europe in the areas of technology transfer, process improvement, product development, capacity building and training needs.
2017-07-24/ www.lankabusinessonline.com/travel-goods-from-sri-lanka-to-receive-duty-free-entry-to-us/
Export of travel-related products from Sri Lanka will enjoy duty free entry to the United States following a decision by the US administration to approve the inclusion of travel goods from all GSP beneficiary countries, including Sri Lanka, in the expanded US GSP scheme on July 1, 2017.
Sri Lankan manufactured Footwear exports have doubled during the year 2013, compared 2012, a new study conducted by the Ceylon Chamber has revealed.
According to the study titled ‘Footwear Exports and Imports of Sri Lanka – Statistical Analysis’, which covers the periods of 2006 to 2013, Australia and Italy ranks as the main export markets for Sri Lankan footwear.
The Footwear & Leather fair 2014 was ceremonially inaugurated by Hon Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Economic Development. Hon Rishard Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry & Commerce, Hon Lakshman Wasantha Perera, Deputy Minister of Industry & Commerce and Hon. Weerakumara Dissanayaka, Deputy Minister of Traditional industries & Small Enterprise Development were the Guests of honor at this event. Large gathering of diplomats form countries namely Iraq, Italy, Vietnam, Netherlands, Iran, Nigeria, Indonesia, Turkey, India, France, European Union, Libya, Romania, Cuba, Malaysia and Germany was presented at the opening ceremony.
Sri Lanka's booming footwear and leather sector has demonstrated the highest exports surge in recent history while the industry players lauded praise on the government for the support given to them. "Our footwear and leather exports have shown a strong growth trend. In 2012, exports from this sector stood at $ 30 Mn but now it has registered a remarkable 63% increase in 2013 to $ 51 Mn" said a satisfied Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) on February 7 in Colombo.
