Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Exporters last week hailed the Government’s commitment towards encouraging new champions to international trade and facilitation to ensure Sri Lanka reaches its targets by end of this year whilst urging immediate action over some of the concerns.
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 $20 billion milestone this year.
Marking a major milestone, the Port of Colombo handled its seven millionth TEU yesterday, 31 December.
A special function was held at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to celebrate the handling of the seven million mark. The function was attended by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Rathnayake and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Secretary and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake.
2018-12-27/ www.ft.lk/business/Enhancing-capabilities-of-footwear-industry-to-maximise-benefits-under-int-l-trading-arrangements/34-669602
The Footwear and Leather sector has been identified as a potential sector by way of creating employment opportunities and earning and saving foreign exchange earnings. Since the local market is limited, exports are essential for the sustainability of the industry. This industry clearly has a significant potential for being a key contributor to the economy of the country, if empowered by appropriate support and guidance. At Present the footwear and Leather industry and its supporting industries including marketing chain employs around 250,000 people directly and indirectly. Sri Lanka’s exports of this sector was US$ 131.38 million and exports to EU was US$ 38.52 million in 2017.
Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) yesterday announced a significant equipment addition that will enhance the terminal’s deep water capacity and make Colombo one of the few ports in Asia capable of handling vessels of 22,000 + TEUs. The Company said the enhancement encompasses the addition of two new mega Quay Gantry Cranes (QGCs), six new Rubber-tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and 12 Prime Movers, and is planned for completion by March 2019. CICT’s existing QGCs are the biggest gantry cranes in the Indian Subcontinent region, and the addition of two even larger twin-lift QGCs from Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC), a global leader in quayside container cranes, will further strengthen the Port of Colombo’s hub status, the Company said.
Sri Lanka is working towards deriving maximum power generation from all spectrums of energy sources while minimizing the environmental impact it will cause. “It is important to tap all the power resources to generate the necessary supply and we are considerate of the environmental impact in doing so. Therefore, measures will be taken to mitigate the impact on the environment,” While the government is keen on working towards 100 percent electrification of households in the country, it has provided electricity to all the households requesting power.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board in collaboration with National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS), Department of National Botanic Gardens (DNBG) and Sri Lanka floriculture industry experts organized a full day workshop on production of ornamental plants. The workshop was held on 4th December 2018 at the EDB auditorium.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan organized an Inward Buyer Delegation from Japan, from 3rd to 5th December 2018 with the objective of developing business linkages between Sri Lankan companies and the Japanese buyers as well as to increase awareness among Sri Lankan exporters on the Japanese market.
2018-12-03/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Technical-transfer-program-for-coir-based-manufacturers-in-North-Western-and-Southern-provinces/34-668043
The EDB’s Regional Development Division successfully concluded a Technical transfer program for coir-based manufacturers in the North Western Province (NWP) & Southern Province (SP) from 19-29 November under the ‘2000 Exporters Development Program’.
At the recently held APICTA 2018, Sri Lanka won 3 Gold Awards and was also able to secure 7 Merit awards. In addition to that, Sri Lanka also emerged as the third highest achiever in the awards tally at APICTA 2018 as well. APICTA or the Asia Pacific Information Communication and Technology Alliance is an association of national ICT organizations representing their respective economies.
NOCU organized an awareness workshop for the stakeholders engaged in organic agriculture related activities to educate them on the role of NOCU and international market prospects for organic agriculture products. Workshop was held on 29th November 2018 at the EDB 3rd Floor Auditorium. This workshop was organized for Growers/Farmers, Processors, Traders, Exporters, Importers Other organic related entrepreneurs etc.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board, in collaboration with National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS), Department of National Botanic Gardens (DNBG), and Sri Lanka floriculture industry experts, will organise a full day workshop on the production of ornamental plants. The workshop will be held on 4th December at the EDB auditorium.
2018-11-23/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Successful-participation-of-Sri-Lanka-at-first-China-International-Import-Expo-in-Shanghai/34-667466
The CIIE is China’s first import expo held at the national level, an innovation in the history of global trade. The first CIIE was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) and organised by Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government supported by the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and organised by the China International Import Expo Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
2018-11-23/ http://www.ft.lk/propertyconstruction/Sri-Lankan-construction-companies-seek-business-opportunities-in-Ethiopia/10516-667380
A delegation from Major Constructors of Sri Lanka (MCSL) representing Sanken Overseas Ltd., Saw Engineering Ltd., Vee Power Ltd. and ELS Construction Ltd., had a business promotion mission in Ethiopia during the first week of November.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan is organising an Inward Buyer Delegation from Japan, from 3-5 December with the objective of developing business linkages between Sri Lankan companies and the Japanese buyers and to increase awareness among Sri Lankan exporters on the Japanese market.
2018-11-20/ http://www.ft.lk/ft-education/Maldives-International-Education-and-Career-Expo-in-February/10515-667184
Maldivian students are increasingly turning towards Sri Lanka as a home away from home for their diverse educational needs. The students of today are very focused and wise in their choice of careers and seek out new avenues and options for education and career development on a regular basis. Increasingly Maldivian students are favouring Sri Lanka to further their education.
2018-11-16/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Sri-Lanka-participates-in-China-International-Import-Expo/34-666878
Sri Lanka participated in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai from 5-10 November 2018.</p
The Salon International de l'Agroalimentaire (SIAL) one of the largest food innovation exhibitions in the world dedicated for agri-food industry, food retail and institutional & commercial catering was held in Paris, France from 21st to 25th October 2018 with the participation of 7200 exhibitors from 110 countries representing 85% of international exhibitors and 160,000 trade visitors from 194 countries.
Construction is an industry that has a significant impact on environment, economic and social development. The need for greater environmental consideration in the context of sustainable development has been accepted by many governments, businesses, organizations and individuals. ........
INFOTEL 2018, the biggest and most prestigious Information and Communication Technology (ICT) exhibition in Sri Lanka and the whole of South Asia organized by FITIS (Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka), was held from 02nd to 04th November, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo for the 17th consecutive year. INFOTEL 2018, themed “Towards a Digital Economy”, is aligned with the national priorities of enhancing the digital infrastructure of the country for facilitating a digitally empowered ecosystem while improving the Citizens’ engagement in a digital society. Throughout the three days, thousands of local and foreign visitors were taken part in the exhibition.
