Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Hon. Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Trade urged the whole stakeholders to actively engage in assisting all exporters of the country in every possible manner during this turbulent period enabling exporters to strengthen our economy.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) new Chairman Suresh de Mel this week expressed confidence of giving the best shot at realising a near $ 16 billion target for 2021 despite domestic and global challenges. This confidence stems from a plethora of new initiatives as well as fine-tuning existing endeavours to develop and boost exports.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is forecasting a performance of $ 15.68 billion in merchandise and service shipments in 2021.
The US$ 13.5 billion export target set for merchandise export sectors in early 2020 remains challenging, requiring not only strong efforts from local enterprises, but also the recovery of global demand amid complicated Covid-19 situation. Amid severe impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports remain at US$ 9.9 billion in 2020, which is a 104 % achievement from the revised forecast of US$ 9.5 billion.
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Turkey and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) jointly organized a Webinar and Business Networking Session last week in collaboration with the Turkish Economic Relations Board (DEIK). More than 85 participants attended the webinar.
Since the UK is the main market for Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU region and the second largest export market after the USA, it is important for Sri Lanka to receive the same tariff preferences it was enjoying prior to Brexit when trading with the UK in the post Brexit period.
Due to the difficulties of organizing physical export promotion programmes during this pandemic situation, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lankan Missions overseas has initiated online sessions to enable foreign buyers and Sri Lankan exporters meet via virtual platforms with the objective of creating trade linkages between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world, as it is imperative to sustain the nation’s export promotional activities in spite of severe challenges caused by COVID-19.
According to Customs monthly provisional exports statistics, merchandize export earnings have recorded a historical decrease by nearly 64% to US $ 277.4 Mn from US $ 772.57 Mn documented in April 2019.
Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Prabhash Subasinghe yesterday urged that boosting exports must be everyone’s priority, as the key agency set an ambitious yet achievable target of $ 18.5 billion this year, up by 15% from 2019. EDB revealed that as per provisional data, last year Sri Lanka’s total merchandise and service exports amounted to $ 16.14 billion up by 1.44% from 2018. The composition was merchandise exports were $ 11.9 billion, up 0.13% and service exports were $ 4.2 billion, up by 5.3% from 2018. EDB originally targeted $ 18.5 billion exports for 2019, and the estimated performance reflects achievement of 87% of the goal.
The Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Shanghai, facilitated Sri Lanka’s participation in the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai, China from 5-10 November.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board organized an Export Promotional Mission to Toronto in Canada from 20 to 23 October 2019 in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate in Toronto. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka partnered under the Economic Diplomacy Program (EDP) which enabled to organize Sri Lanka Pavilion at GIC in successful manner.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) organised a business seminar recently with the objective of increasing awareness among Sri Lankan exporters on the Central European market and to create business linkages with the supermarkets, retailers and buying agents in Poland.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brasília, under the Economic Diplomacy Program initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the patronage of the Department of Commerce, the Export Development Board, the Coconut Development Authority, and the Sri Lanka Tea Board, held a trade promotional program in the State of Minas Gerais from 15 to 17 October.
Sri Lanka yesterday launched the official website announcing the country’s participation in the six-month long Expo 2020 Dubai, anticipating a major boost to exports, tourism and investments while looking to enhance the country’s brand value and image globally.
Supply Side West will be held on 17 & 18 October 2019 at EXPO hall, Mandalay Bay, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89119.
Indira Malwatte, Chairperson & Chief Executive of EDB and the Commissioner General of Sri Lanka for Expo 2020 Dubai together with the private sector stakeholders; Secretary Generals of the National Chamber of Exporters and National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Shiham Marikkar and Bandula Dissanayake and the Co- Chair Planning Sub Committee of Expo 2020 Dubai, Fazal Mushin met Ahmed Ali Ibrahim Al Mualla, the ambassador for UAE in Sri Lanka this week at the embassy premises to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s commitment in participation at Expo 2020 Dubai and to review the progress made so far.
Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara - two of the most iconic cricketers produced by the country has come on board as Sri Lanka’s Brand Ambassadors for Expo 2020 Dubai organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) as a public private cooperation project .
The 23rd Presidential Export Award Ceremony (PEA) organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) was successfully held on 19th September 2019 under the patronage of His Excellency the President of Sri Lnaka at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo with the participation of the large number of exporters. The award winners were presented a prestigious PEA Trophy and a Certificate & they have the privilege to use the “Award Logo” as a marketing tool for a 3 year period.
The 23rd Presidential Export Award Ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) will be held on Thursday 19th September 2019 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of His Excellency the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
