Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
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.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has been conducting the Exporters’ Forum since its inception from late 70s. The EDB has identified the need of a common platform to discuss and resolve the issues faced by the exporter community in Sri Lanka in order to facilitate exporters to overcome constraints arising from policy and operational issues created by various institutes that regulate, operate, and facilitate cross border trade. The EDB as the nation’s prime institute to facilitate export development created this mechanism to enable exporters to submit their issues to the highest levels of state institutions that cannot be reached easily by a trader. The unique feature of the Exporters’ Forum is the participation of the private sector and the public sector to resolve issues, with the political leadership represented by the relevant minister together with direct ministry-level interventions providing solutions to address those issues.
Travellers looking for a reason to plan their next holiday to Sri Lanka will find plenty of them at the Sri Lanka Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, experts said at the UAE Sri Lanka Forum.
The SME Jewellery Manufacturers play an important role in the Gem & Jewellery sector. However their contribution to exports is minimal due to a number of reasons. The two major factors which hinder the progress of the SMEs are the lack of awareness on the benefits of using design as a differentiator in the international market and lack of designers who are capable of producing exquisite designs to attract the high end segment in the international market.
The Sri Lanka visiting delegation to Dubai for signing of Official Participation Contract of Expo 2020 Dubai has met with Mr. Kamal Vachani, Group Director of Al Maya Group, a main Super Market Chain in United Arab Emirates. The Sri Lanka delegation for the meeting was led by Ms. Indira Malwatte, Chairperson & Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Export Development Board. Mr. Chaitha Yattogoda, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai was also present for the meeting together with other private and public sector delegates.
The EDB has organized a two day Seminar for Development Officers and Regional Officers of the EDB on 3rd and 4th July 2019 at the 3rd-floor auditorium of the EDB with the participation of 60 participants Under the National Export Strategy.
2019-07-08/ http://www.ft.lk/propertyconstruction/Sri-Lanka-pavilion-at-22nd-International-Architectural-and-Design-Exhibition-in-Milano/10516-681555
A Sri Lanka Pavilion is in display at the 22nd International Architecture and Design Exhibition which is being held at the Museum of Modern Art at Triennale di Milano, in Milan, Italy. The theme of the exhibition is ‘Broken Nature: Design Takes on Human Survival’.
2019-07-03/ http://www.ft.lk/business/Sri-Lanka-participates-in-16th-China-International-Small-and-Medium-Enterprises-Fair/34-681129
Sri Lanka Export Development Board, in coordination with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou, participated in the 16th China International Small and Medium Fair (CISMEF) from 24-27 June.
Sri Lanka is making a renewed attempt to leverage its geographic advantage in the East-West shipping route, this time as a boat builder and marine tourism destination under the National Export Strategy. The five-year plan formally launched in July 2018 identifies boat building and its related services as one of five key industries to expand Sri Lanka’s export basket and increase export earnings to $ 28 billion by 2022.
