Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
“This Act is truly visionary; I wish other countries had this in their export development framework!”, remarked a senior official of the Geneva-based International Trade Centre to me some months back. He was referring to the ‘Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979’, which marks 40 years this month. He had found it to be an institutional arrangement that was far ahead of its time, and is still having relevance today – not just for Sri Lanka, but also for other developing countries. And he would know, having worked on export development strategies for over a dozen countries around the world.
2019-08-11/ http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2019/08/11/business/it%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98full-steam-ahead%E2%80%99-industry-boat-and-ship-model-testing-facility-be-set
The country’s boat-building industry has an ambitious target of doubling its export revenue to reach US $ 250 million by 2022.
Opening a new chapter in the exports playbook, the Government of Sri Lanka launched its flagship national agenda – The National Exports Strategy (NES) – in July 2018. The ambitions and outward looking agenda
2019-08-07/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Interbrand-inspires-new-Sri-Lankan-Made-country-of-origin-trademark/34-683441
Interbrand, the world’s largest and most influential brand consultancy, has completed the development of Sri Lanka’s country-of-origin trademark for the spices sector. The trademark supports growers, processors and manufacturers by helping them to clearly identify their products as ‘Sri Lankan Made’ and informs customers and consumers that all significant parts, produce, processing and products are of genuine Sri Lankan origin.
2019-08-07/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Sri-Lanka-Electronic-Manufacturers-and-Exporters-Association-holds-AGM/34-683526
Sri Lanka Electronic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (SLEMEA) hosted its 21st Annual General Meeting on 25 July at the Ramada Colombo.
To help Sri Lankan companies eyeing the daunting Indian market, the International Trade and Development Strategies Ministry yesterday launched a new report to assist breaking into India, with Minister Malik Samarawickrama undertaking a visit to India this week to help local businesses find success across the Palk Strait.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) celebrated its 40th anniversary with religious observances on 1st August 2019. The anniversary celebration consisted of a multi-religious event, an all-night pirith chanting and alms giving for 40 Buddhist monks. These merits were made at the head office of the EDB on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
2019-08-04/ http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2019/03/24/opinion/sri-lanka%E2%80%99s-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-strategy-agenda-boost-economic
Around the world, shifts in political economy, technology and the environment are contributing to increasingly turbulent conditions in which policymakers are having to respond to complex dynamics and new sources of uncertainty. Science, technology and innovation are often at the heart of these changes.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board [EDB] which turned 40 years on 1st August is the premier state organization for the development and promotion of exports. The Board plays myriad roles in the export sector of the economy, as a Policy Advisor, Monitor, Promoter, Facilitator and Knowledge Provider in carrying out its responsibilities of implementing strategies for achieving national export targets.
2019-08-02/ http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/National-Exports-Strategy-ICTA-partners-MoDSIT-to-implement-IT-BPM-sector-initiatives/50-683186
The Sri Lanka National Exports Strategy (NES) has been swiftly moving its priority actions into implementation since its launch in July 2018.
2019-08-01/ http://investsrilanka.com/sri-lankas-skilled-workforce-has-shown-its-capability-to-perform-in-a-stellar-way-in-spite-of-the-challenges-faced-by-the-country-in-recent-months/
Sri Lanka’s skilled workforce was not affected by the recent events that occurred on Easter Sunday when several churches and hotels were attacked by terrorists. The workforce in the electronics industry showed a very high turnover according to leading investors in that sector.
EDB in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) and Plastic and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka (PRISL) organized a two day workshop in July 2018 on Product Innovation, Technology and R&D to upgrade the knowledge of the tyre manufacturers/exporters by obtaining the services of Technical Experts from India. The first collaborative tyre workshop was conducted successfully with the participation of over 100 technical personnel of leading tyre manufacturing & exporting companies in Sri Lanka.
2019-07-26/ http://www.ft.lk/lifestyle/Facets-2019-to-promote-local-gem-and-jewellery-industry-with-bigger-and-better-show/8-682709
In a bid to attract international dealers to Sri Lanka’s industry, the launch of the 29th edition of Facets International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition, which promises a ‘bigger and better’ show than ever before, was announced recently.
2019-07-25/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Nine-Lankan-firms-showcase-atTexworld-Apparel-Sourcing-USA-and-Home-Textile-Sourcing-Expo/34-682633
Nine Sri Lankan garment manufacturers participated at the summer 2019 editions of Texworld/Apparel Sourcing USA and Home Textile Sourcing Expo this week in the USA.
2019-07-25/ http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/ICT-Industry-Skills-Council-steps-up-initiatives/50-682601
In yet another significant step forward, the ICT Industry Skills Council (ICTISC) is planning to introduce significant impetus to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills Development in the country.
Despite global and local challenges, Sri Lanka’s merchandised and service exports have risen by 11.4% to $ 8.5 billion in the first half of this year, prompting the Government to attribute it to a series of development efforts and assure further support. Releasing the latest yet provisional data, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama said yesterday that export sector performance was commendable, though he admitted there is significant scope for higher value. “The 11.4% growth, despite the impact of the October 2018 undemocratic constitutional coup, and the Easter Sunday tragedy, as well as global challenges, is very satisfactory. For the first time, three months of first half of 2019 - January, March and June - have produced over $ 1 billion worth of merchandised exports. We had originally set an ambitious $ 20 billion target for 2019, but we may miss it and end up at around $ 18.5 billion, which will be still higher than the $ 16 billion achieved last year,” Samarawickrama said.
A delegation led by Hon. Nalin Bandara, Deputy Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade comprising officials from both the public and private sector visited United Arab Emirates (UAE) and met several important trade partners in the UAE. The delegation had very fruitful discussions with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry as well as Al-Maya Group and the Lulu Supermarket International.
Sri Lanka is now officially an approved participant at the World Expo 2020 Dubai as the Government of Sri Lanka signed the Official Participation Contract with the "Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau” on 08th July 2019. The high level delegation to the UAE for the Contract signing Ceremony was led by Hon. Nalin Bandara, Deputy Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade. Ms. Indira Malwatte, Chairperson & Chief Executive, Sri Lanka Export Development Board as the Commissioner General for Sri Lanka of Expo 2020 Dubai, signed the Official Participation Contract on behalf of Sri Lanka with Mr. Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau in the presence of Hon. Nalin Bandara, Deputy Minister of Development Strategy and International Trade.
2019-07-17/ http://www.ft.lk/business/9-SL-garment-manufacturers-to-participate-at%C2%A0Texworld-Apparel-Sourcing--Home-Textile-Sourcing-in-US/34-682041
A total of nine Sri Lankan garment manufacturers will participate at the summer 2019 edition of Texworld/Apparel Sourcing and Home Textiles Sourcing next week in the US.
Spa Ceylon, the world’s largest Ayurveda wellness chain, was a major winner at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2019 in St. Petersburg, Russia, bagging four international awards.
