Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
“Born in Sri Lanka – Ceylon Cinnamon” was the title of a virtual event conducted last week in Melbourne, with the participation of a panel of experts and businessmen in the field, for the promotion of Ceylon Cinnamon in the Australian states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The purpose of the event was to reinvigorate the market enthusiasm for Ceylon Cinnamon in Australia by bringing forth the new information on various export products of Ceylon Cinnamon manufactured in Sri Lanka and the process of their export to Australia with special focus on the Australian regulations and market dynamics.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) – Regional Development division implemented an Export Coaching Programme as a pilot project for twenty-five (25) selected, export potential SMEs that are registered under the EDB – New Exporter Development Programme and assist them to develop capacities to enter the export market.
As the country’s exports continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) remains confident of the future prospects of the country’s export sector, with its focus to break into premium markets.
Last year, the Export Development Board (EDB) could not hold the Presidential Export Awards for financial year 2019/2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and therefore it was held as a combined awards scheme this year.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 35.9% to US$ 1,160.62 Million in October 2021 compared to October 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. Exports maintained above one billion for the fifth time this year.
The demand for organic food products is continuously increasing due to the growing interest in markets such as EU, USA, Middle East, Japan, and China. Among the producing countries, Sri Lanka maintains a reputation as a reliable producer and supplier of organic agricultural products adhering to the internationally required organic standards such as “EU Organic”, “USDA”, “JAS” etc. Even during COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka has received considerable amount of orders for organic food products such as tea, spices, coconut kernel products, jack fruit products, traditional rice, kithul treacle etc. As a result, increasing the supply base of organic food products to serve the foreign orders on time is necessary to bring more foreign currency to the country. Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia are the main markets for these products. Even though our farmers/processors follow organic agricultural and processing practices, the products will not be marketed as “organic” unless it is verified and certified by a third-party-accredited certification body.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in China and the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Shanghai has made arrangements to organize Sri Lanka’s participation at the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE),which is currently taking place at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai.
A multi-party meeting on enhancing bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was held at the Export Development Board (EDB) on 3rd November, 2021, under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Trade, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena and High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka H.E Tareq Md Ariful Islam with the participation of companies that export products to Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is planning to hold the 24th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony for the financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21 on 26th November 2021 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium, together with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) promoted Ceylon tea, Sri Lanka spices and coconut-based products at the 8th edition of the INTRAFOOD trade fair in Kotrijk, Belgium on 27 to 28 October 2021.
Sri Lanka’s merchandize exports in September 2021 recorded US$ 995.8 Mn as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs.
Virtual Boat Show Sri Lanka 2021 commenced yesterday (25-10-2021) providing a single platform for all related business sectors involved directly and indirectly in the boat and shipbuilding industry and nautical tourism sector.
EDB has been informed by the Sri Lanka Embassy in China that New Regulation on Exporter Registration will be in effective from 1st January 2022 imposed by the General Administration of Custom of China (GACC) for all overseas food manufacturers.
Sri Lanka’s ICT/BPM country Brand the “Island of Ingenuity” – IOI, was promoted at the Digital ICT Week in Luxembourg from 13th to 17th September 2021.
Sri Lanka’s merchandize exports in August 2021 recorded an increase of 14.4 % to US$ 1,083.56 Mn as compared to US$ 947.2 Mn recorded in August 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in South Korea organized Sri Lanka product displays to promote the Food & Beverage sector in the Korean market. Sri Lankan food products were promoted in Korea Import Good Fair (KIGF) organized by Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) from 22nd to 24thJuly, 2021, at COEX, Seoul, and during the Seoul Food & Hotel Show (SFH) which was held at Korea International Exhibition Center (Kintex) from 27thto 30th July, 2021. Both events provided opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to explore new business leads and strengthen the existing business networks.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Viet Nam and the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) organized a virtual conference to share information about, and opportunities in, the Buddhist Education Sector in Sri Lanka with prospective institutions in Viet Nam, on the 25th of August 2021. The main purpose of holding the virtual conference was to promote Sri Lanka as the prime destination at which prospective Vietnamese Monks, Nuns and laymen may learn, practice and follow the Noble Doctrine of the Lord Buddha. The event was attended by more than 100 Vietnamese Monks, Nuns and laymen who are willing to further their studies in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is planning to hold the 24rh Presidential Export Awards Ceremony for the financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21 on 26th November 2021 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka’s exports have surpassed the $ 1 billion mark in July after four months’ time period where the similar achievement was only recorded in March during this year.
A webinar on ‘Finding a Market for Agri Products in EU’ with a special focus on organic markets, organised by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany in collaboration with the Import Promotion Desk of Germany and Export Development Board of Sri Lanka was held on 29 July, with over 200 participants across large to SME Agri sector exporters.
